Tuskegee Airmen Visits Westfield

I was fortunate to obtain the contact information for a 90 year old retired Lieutenant Colonel named Walter McCreary. McCreary was one of the first African American fighter pilots . He served in World War II and after being shot down spent time in a German POW camp. His story was quite compelling and he thoroughly enjoyed talking about it and answering the many questions that the 300 or so high school students directed his way. At the end of the Q & A, the students gave him a standing ovation and then thronged him desiring handshakes, autographs, and pictures. It was great to be able to spend time with living history. It was equally great to see kids understand the magnitude of who was before them and what he accomplished. Hats off to the Lt. Col., and hats off to the kids. (Below is the introduction I gave before he spoke).

Good morning Westfield students. If you are here today, it is most likely because you are enrolled in either World History II or US History. For those of you who do not know me I am Mr. Chapman and I am a World History II teacher here at Westfield. After I introduce our speaker, he is going to tell us his story. Once he has completed his story, we are going to have some time to take your questions. So, students and teachers alike be prepared to participate here shortly. Back in February, my classes reached the point in the course where we entered the 20^th century. I explained to my students that this was the time some thought that if ever it looked like global civilization might reach its apex, tame all obstacles in its way, and accomplish the most extraordinary achievements of all time it would be in the 1900’s. Unfortunately the 20^th century turned out, in many respects, to be somewhat the opposite, for it contained several events which turned the world into a place where civilization came close to the brink of destroying itself. There was the imperialistic mad scramble for Africa as well as European imperialism in places like China and Southeast Asia. In addition to World War I, the Russian Revolution, World War II, the Cold War and a series of other wars that you are all quite familiar with, there were a handful of mass genocides that took place throughout the world. Sometimes, the barbarism and sheer devastation that took place in the 20^th century can be quite depressing if you fail to include the positive achievements of some of the century’s best and brightest.

Today’s speaker is one of these best and brightest, an individual who showed tremendous bravery when all of the odds were stacked against him. I am going to quickly say a few words about him, but I want him to be able to take all of the time he needs to tell his own story in his own words. He was raised in San Antonio and had graduated from Tuskegee University in 1940 when he received a draft notice. He already had a civilian pilot's license and signed up for the Tuskegee Army Air Corps program, becoming one of the first pilots of the all-black 100th Fighter Squadron.

He was shipped overseas in January 1944 and was based outside Naples. He flew 89 missions in the P-39, the P-47 and the P-51. (This would be roughly double the number of missions that the average white pilot would fly). His story is quite extraordinary and as a result people in high places took notice. The highest honor that Congress can award a civilian is the Congressional Gold Medal. Past recipients include: George Washington, Ulysses Grant, Charles Lindbergh, Thomas Edison, Jonas Salk, Winston Churchill, Jesse Owens, Mother Theresa, Elie Wiesel, Nelson Mandela, Rosa Parks, and Martin Luther King. Today’s speaker along with many other Tuskegee airmen was also awarded a Congressional Gold Medal in March of 2007. Someone once said, “In the long history of humankind there have been those selfless beings who in the face of opposition allowed their lives to represent more than their own existence.” We have here at Westfield High School one of these selfless beings in our midst today. He faced opposition on all sides, not only from the Axis Powers, but from his own government, from his own military, and from his own countrymen who treated him and other African American military personnel like second class citizens before, during, and even after their military service. Yet, he and other Tuskegee Airmen were instrumental in helping to spearhead a movement for civil rights that would go on to change the hearts and minds of a nation that needed desperately to have its hearts and minds changed. The world becomes a better place when such people allow their lives to represent more than their own existence. Sir, it is an honor and a delight to have you here with us this morning. Would you please give a warm welcome to the Retired Lieutenant Colonel Walter McCreary?