Living history coming to Sheppard Published Oct. 19, 2007 By Staff Sgt. Eumiko Egins 82nd Training Wing Military Equal Opportunity Office SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- As Sheppard continues its celebration of the Air Force's 60th Anniversary, it will also honor some of the service's living history at the weekend's Open House - the Tuskegee Airmen. The famed all African-American combat flying unit, also known as the 99th Fighter Squadron, which was later absorbed by the 332nd Fighter Group, fought two wars simultaneously - one against a military force overseas in World War II and the other against racism and bigotry at home and abroad. They were determined young men who enlisted to become America's first black military Airmen. These Airmen are legendary, not just for escorting bombers over Europe, but also for escorting equality into America and its military forces. Some of the combat accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen include: · 1,578 missions and more than 10,000 sorties · more than 100 enemy aircraft shot down in air-to-air combat · 150 aircraft, 950 railcars, trucks and other motor vehicles were destroyed on the ground · one enemy destroyer was sunk · 150 distinguished flying crosses, 744 Air Medals, eight Purple Hearts and 14 Bronze Stars were awarded · President George W. Bush and Congress awarded the Congressional Gold Medal March 29 to the Tuskegee Airmen In short, before Air Force Maj. Gen. Chuck Yeager shattered the sound barrier in 1947, the Tuskegee Airmen shattered the race barrier and paved the way for the Air Force we now serve and celebrate. Their service and dedication to duty is part of the reasoning behind President Harry S. Truman's decision to issue Executive Order 9981 desegregating the Armed Forces in 1948. Although still in its infancy, the United States Air Force led the way in integrating the military and diminishing the effects of racism. Guests at Sheppard Open House Oct. 20 will have the opportunity to honor the Tuskegee Airmen for their revolutionary efforts and unrivaled accomplishments both during World War II and thereafter. Here is more information about six Tuskegee Airmen we are honored to host this weekend:Among the Tuskegee Airmen to be honored will be John Flanagan, Calvin Spann, Robert McDaniel, Donald Elder, Joseph Montgomery and Leroy Clever. John Flanagan Mr. Flanagan served as a communications technician. He maintained military records, provided communications to officers and enlisted personnel. Attached to the 1316th Engineering Battalion, 93rd Infantry and the 935th Air Base Security Battalion, Mr. Flanagan was inspired by the opportunities provided for African Americans in this era and went on to secure a private pilot's license of his own. Calvin Spann Mr. Spann received his wings at Tuskegee Army Air Field, Ala., graduating in Class 44G. He trained on the P-47 Thunderbolt in Walterboro, S.C., in preparation for overseas combat duty. As a member of the 100th Fighter Squadron, also a part of the legendary 332nd Fighter Group, he was commanded by future Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. and flew 26 combat missions. Robert McDaniel Mr. McDaniel entered the military in 1943 and was accepted into the Aviation Cadet Training Program at Tuskegee Institute. He flew the TB-25J, serving his country as a Flight Officer with the 477th Bombardier Group. Mr. McDaniel suffered an unjust courts martial and was put under house arrest due to his courageous resistance against racism and segregation. The charges were eventually dropped and he was honorably restored. Donald Elder Mr. Elder served as a crew chief for the 99th Fighter Squadron and worked on the P-47. He became the first African American to be given a field service assignment in the aviation industry's private sector, which earned him the nickname the "Jackie Robinson of Aviation" from Rockwell International's human resource director Dean Chatlin. Leroy Cleaver Mr. Cleaver was an instructor and pilot at the Tuskegee Army Air Field. After Tuskegee, Mr. Cleaver moved to Sheppard Field in 1947 - the same year the Air Force was born - to become the installation's first African American civilian instructor. He taught aircraft maintenance courses until he retired in 1970. After that, he spent time instructing highway workers on safety measures and taught at Barwise Junior High School - sometimes even driving a bus for the Wichita Falls Independent School District. Joseph Montgomery Mr. Montgomery graduated from basic training at Sheppard. Once he graduated, he went to Tuskegee as a part of the "Tuskegee Experiment." A civil engineer, he was later drafted into service during the Vietnam War after finishing his commitment at Tuskegee. Mr. Montgomery went on to serve his country and retired from the Air Force as a master sergeant.