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Tuskegee Airman Visits U.S. Naval Academy
Story Number: NNS061120-07
Release Date: 11/20/2006 4:02:00 PM
By Naomi Sullivan, U.S. Naval Academy Public Affairs
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (NNS) -- One of the original Tuskegee Airmen visited the U.S. Naval Academy Nov. 9 to discuss the history behind the most highly decorated fighter squadron of World War II.
The visit was months in the planning, initiated by the Midshipmen Black Studies Club, an extra-curricular group at the Academy aimed at educating the Brigade of Midshipmen about the history and culture of African-Americans.
“I'd heard them speak at a public library and thought they would be very suitable to speak at the Naval Academy,” said Midshipman 1st Class Jonathon A. Goldsberry, president of the Midshipman Black Studies Club. “I did a little research, found a few members who lived locally, and asked if they would be interested in speaking here."
William Broadwater, an original Tuskegee Airman, told the Midshipmen the story of how he became part of the historic Tuskegee Airmen, a path that began at the age of 10. He was attending Sunday school when a plane landed hard in a baseball field near the church. The pilot of the plane was C. Alfred Anderson, the first African-American to earn a commercial pilot’s license.
“I studied everything or every magazine I could find on aviation,” said Broadwater. “I could fly an airplane without ever having been in one.”
Broadwater was among nearly 1,000 cadets who started training July 19, 1941. Known as the “Red-tails,” the Tuskegee Airmen escort fighter wing never lost a U.S. bomber to enemy attack - a distinction no other unit shared. Their unparalleled performance is credited for motivating President Harry S. Truman to order the desegregation of U.S. armed forces in 1948.
For the Midshipmen, Broadwater’s experience is a story in perseverance. After leaving the Army, Broadwater continued his aviation career. He retired from the Federal Aviation Administration as an air traffic controller, worked as an aviation consultant, and at age 80, still flies to this day.
“Mr. Broadwater teaches today's Midshipmen the importance of finding something you like and then working hard at it,” Goldsberry said. “The opportunities Mr. Broadwater had after his time as a military aviator were just as impressive as his flying career, if not more.”
Today the common goal of the Tuskegee Airmen is to motivate, inspire and stimulate the minds of the nation’s youth, encouraging them to pursue careers in aerospace and engineering. The Tuskegee Airman’s Scholarship Fund awards $30,000 annually to youth across the country. April 21, President Bush signed into law a bill awarding the Tuskegee Airmen the Congressional Gold Medal.
“It’s like a dream,” said Goldsberry. “These men are living legends. For them to be able to share their story is impressive.”
For related news, visit the U.S. Naval Academy Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/usna/.
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