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General Colin Powell thanks Tuskegee Airmen for preparing the way for African American success in the militaryDETROIT-The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Colin L. Powell, told the Tuskegee Airmen’s 20th Annual Convention recently that he would not be America’s highest ranking soldier today had it not been for their efforts 50 years ago, as well as those of other Black men and women who fought for America.“I never forget for a day, nor for an hour, nor for a minute, that 1 climbed to my position on the backs of the courageous African American men and women who went before me,’ ’ he said.General Powell addressed an enthusiastic audience made up of members of both the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. and the Organization of Black Airline Pilots (OBAP), whose 16th Annual Convention was held jointly with the Airmen’s in Detroit.Begun in 1941 as an “experiment,” the U. S. Army Air Corps trained 992 African Americans as Air Corps pilots - mostly at Tuskegee, Ala.- during World War II. The Tuskegee Airmen distinguished themselves in combat and their successes influenced President Truman to end segregation in the armed forces in 1948.Earl G. Graves, publisher of Black Enterprise Magazine and keynote speaker for the Phillip Morris sponsored Corporate Luncheon, also expressed deep personal appreciation for the efforts of the Tuskegee Airmen almost a half of a century ago.“Too often we forget the debt we owe to those who came before us, Graves said. He also noted, with pride, that his late uncle, Joseph Graves, had served with the Tuskegee Airmen. Mr. Graves noted with satisfaction that the Airmen were convening this year with their inheritors, the OBAP.George L. Knox, III, vice president, public affairs, Phillip Morris Companies Inc., later noted the importance of the gathering that included World War II aviators, current airline pilots, African American astronauts and students.“Watching General (Benjamin 0.) Davis (USAF retired) talking with Bill Norwood (Chairman OBAP) and Dr. (Mae C.) Jemison, the first African American female astronaut, reinforced my feelings about the long-lasting, positive influence of the Tuskegee Airmen,” Knox said.GENERAL COLIN L POWELL, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, right, with Lieutenant General Benjamin 0. Davis, Jr., (USAF retired) and George L Knox III, vice president, Philip Morris Companies Inc., during the 20th Annual Convention of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., in Detroit recently. Davis led the heroic Black airmen during World War IIand Knox’s father served under DaKnox, whose father served under General Davis, said the Tuskegee Airmen, and countless other African American men and women who served this country, have helped to move America closer to the pointj during that war.where all its people share it responsibilities and its opportunities.“That's why, Knox said, it is so important that future ger''rations of Americans know about the unique contributions of this group and others like it/'The Tuskegee Airmen elected Dr. Elmore Kennedy, the Deputy Director of the City of Detroit’s Engineering Department, as its new president.DR. MAE C. JEMISON, right, the first African American female astronaut, shares a moment recently with Lieutenant General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., (USAF retired), during the reception for the Tuskegee Airmen’s AwardsD n Mnii/vlLike the Mayor of Detroit, Coleman Young, Kennedy was a fighter pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen almost 50 years ago.MRS. NANCY LEFTENANT-COLON, left, immediate past president of the Tdskegee Airmen, Inc., with Representative William L. Clay (D-Mo.) at the 20th Annual Convention of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. The meeting was held jointly with the 16th Annual Convention of the Organization of Black Airline Pilots at the Westin Hutul Tliitmrt
Newspaper Details
Cincinnati Call and Post
Cincinnati, Ohio, US
Thu, Sep 05, 1991
Page 3
Full Page
Clipped by
Jared K.
USA 07 Apr 2025
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