Hide Article Text (OCR)
Page 20ASunday, October 23. 2005The News-CourierI I SKf.GI K. Ala. lt;AP)I t C ol. Herbert* *( arter is ready for deploy ment.More than 60 years after his World War II tour with the pioneering black pilots known asthe luskegee Airmen, Carter’s new mission willbe shorter, though no less courageous.( arter is one of seven aging luskegee \irmen traveling this weekend to Balad, Iraq a city ravaged by roadside bombs and insurgent activity to inspire a younger generation of airmen who carry on the traditions of the storied 332nd I ightcr Group.I don't think it hurts to have someone who can empathi/c with them and offer them encouragement. said the now-X6-year-old ( arter.I his group represents the linkage between the greatest generation of airmen and the latest generation' of airmen. said I t (ien. Walter Buchanan III. commander of the I S Central C ommand \ii forces, in an e-mail to The Associated PressI he three-day visit was pul together by off icial with the I S C entral \ir forces to link the legacy of the luskegee Airmen with a new generation.I he retired Airmen who will make the trip five pilots, a mechanic and a supply off icer shrugged oft the dangers of Iraq, saying they've stared down the enemy before Some fought in Korea and Vietnam as well as WWIII he current members of the 332nd, redesignated as the U2nd \n I \peditionary Group m I box. include men and women ol dif ferent backgrounds and races. But the black retirees said they’re thrilled that a group still fights within their t '2nd lineage. regardless of skin color.Tin proud they're in a unit carrying our name, said ( harles McGee. X2. a retired 1 n**l who e tow combat missions is an \irforce iccord I hat's ver\ meaningful from the■0f 4j|prTheritage point of \ iew.I he original luskegee \irmen were recruited m an Xrmy An ( orp.s program created to trainblacks to tl\ and maintain combat aircraft dur-me WWII though some of the retired Airmen say it was really designed to prove that black1' wen incapable of Hying and fighting.I ven after the first group completed pilottraining m March 1942. ihev weren't allowed tofHM7 * 40flv for more than a yeaiw . w ;•My status is a Negro bordered on second-class citizenship and the military simply reflected the culture of the time, Carter recalled in arecent interview ‘II vou were a Negro, von were0 W* 0a Negro in either setting I ventually. the black airmen Hew escort for: Wrbombers Ihev were credited with shooting\P PhotoTuskegee Airmen Lt. Col. Herbert Carter, left, Lee Archer, middle, and Charles McGee pose for a portrait at Maxwell Air Force Base n Montgomery. The three are among a group of the 332nd Fighter Group who will be visiting Iraq next week to visit with current members of the unit.down more than KM) enemy aircraft and never40losing an American bomber under escort to enemy fighters In all. 992 pilots were trained in luskegee from 1940 to 1946. about 450deployed overseas and 150 lost their lives in WWII training or combat.I he trip to Iraq brings new recognition to thetrailhla/ing team who were celebrated in a 1095 11 BO movie. I he luskegee Airmen Base. S C., who spearheaded the trip for the seven, said the group in Iraq is looking forward to hearing the Tuskegee Airmen’s storiesOnly about 100Tuskegee Airmen are still living Several surviving members said they would make the trip to Iraq if health issues didn't standm the way.0They said they would continue to speak to current units, schools and public officials toMap Anthony Robinson of Shaw Air f orce ensure their legacy stays alive years after they'regone.“I think everything should be done to pass their story to future generation of Xmericans.” said Ted Johnson. SO, who graduated from the Advanced f light School in 1945 and is considered one of the youngest luskegee Airmen.“It was the luskegee \irmen who made Xmenea come to its senses. he said, “that ituh-viduals should be judged on then accomplishments. rather than their ethmeitv and color.”
Newspaper Details
Athens News Courier
Athens, Alabama, US
Sun, Oct 23, 2005
Page 21
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous A.
WI, USA 14 Nov 2021
Other Publications Near Athens, Alabama
Athens Post
Athens Limestone County Shopper
Athens Limestone Democrat
Athens News Courier
Athens Alabama Courier
