Fighter Sweep
  • Home
  • Military Aviation
  • Air Force
  • Navy
  • Spec Ops
  • Expert Analysis
  • Careers
  • Photos
Home Previous Post Next Post
Follow @fightersweep

Oldest Living Member of the Tuskegee Airmen Dies at the Age of 101

November 24, 2016 tuskegee_airmen_attending_a_briefing ramitelli italy
FighterSweep Staff 1 Comment Air Force, History, Military Aviation, News, WWII

America lost a true hero when Willie Rogers, the oldest living member of the Tuskegee Airmen died at the age of 101 in St Petersburg, Florida on November 18th, 2016.

The Tuskegee Airmen was the unofficial name given to a group of African-Americans that fought in World War II. Most famously known for their pilots, the Tuskegee Airmen name applied to all members of the group including navigators, mechanics, and ground personnel support.

The units name derived from the fact that all the pilots were trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field located near Tuskegee, Alabama. Their official US Army Air Force designation was the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group.

According to the Tampa Bay Times, Mr. Rogers served on the ground, not as a pilot and never told his family about his time with the Airmen.

They knew he had served in World War II, but he did not reveal that portion of the story until 2012.
Part of the reason for that silence, he’d tell his family, was because his work was on the ground in logistics and administration, not in the sky where the heroics took place.

“He would always say there were many who deserved attention more, but were not here to receive it,” Williams said.

But Mr. Rogers was involved in military action and was shot in the stomach and leg by German soldiers during a mission in Italy in January 1943.

He spent three months in a hospital in London and then returned to the war.

Read More Here: Oldest remaining Tuskegee Airman dies at 101

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman acknowledged Rogers’ death on social media Saturday.

willie-rogers-rick-kriseman

In 2007 the Tuskegee Airmen were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. Almost 1000 African-American pilots were trained in this segregated unit of the United States Army Air Force. The unit was also known as the Red Tails due to the fact that they painted the tails of their aircraft red. They were officially established in 1941.

tuskegee_airmen_p-51-red-tails

Photo Courtesy of U.S. Air Force photo [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Related Posts

  • The Greatest Army Air Corps Fighter Plane of WWII? The Answer May Surprise YouThe Greatest Army Air Corps Fighter Plane of WWII? The Answer May Surprise You
  • How High-Octane Gasoline Saved Untold Allied Pilots During WWIIHow High-Octane Gasoline Saved Untold Allied Pilots During WWII
  • Watch: WWII Fighter pilot takes to the skies once more in a vintage P-51 MustangWatch: WWII Fighter pilot takes to the skies once more in a vintage P-51 Mustang
  • Watch & Listen! P-51 Mustang at 500 MPH! Turn Up the Sound!Watch & Listen! P-51 Mustang at 500 MPH! Turn Up the Sound!
  • The “Big Beautiful Doll” StoryThe “Big Beautiful Doll” Story

Find Us on Facebook

FighterSweep.com

Sign Up
for the Newsletter

What’s Hot

  • blue-angels-reporter-blacks-out-passes-out
    December 5, 2017

    Watch: News Reporter Blacks Out on Ride with US Navy Blue Angels

  • Whistling Death: How The Corsair Got Its Nickname
    August 30, 2019

    Whistling Death: How the Corsair got its nickname

  • Rockwell B-1B Lancer: Bad to the Bone!
    April 26, 2015

    Bad to the Bone: Fun Facts about the Boeing (Rockwell) B-1B Lancer

Follow Us

Facebook Twitter Twitter

Recent Comments

  • pak152 " the team came up with what the Brits dubbed as Mustang, powered by a [...]
  • P K Polish AF never has and never will operate Su-27, An-26 aircraft has been out [...]
  • bnarfhyde The best book is also great. have a [...]
  • TerrorTrike ive never survived this long with such a clumsy FL- cG.866B.CO/NC6155hc
  • D4rksupeme yessss truck kunnnnnnnn i needddd you m.866E.CO/vC6155H

© Copyright 2023 SOFREP Media Group. All Rights Reserved.

  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Advertisers
 

Loading Comments...