| Howard L. Baugh 2006 Honoree |
Print-Friendly
Version |
| Following World War II, some white military police officers at U.S. air bases would not salute Howard Baugh, then a black military officer. Today, the retired lieutenant colonel gets salutations from every direction. Baugh served as one of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, the first African Americans to be trained as World War II military pilots in the U.S. Army Air Corps. The Tuskegee Airmen never lost a plane to enemy fighters — a record no other fighter unit achieved. As a young man, Baugh always had a fascination with flying. After the Army Air Corps began accepting African Americans in 1941, the 21-year-old Baugh joined the program after graduating from Virginia State College. The Petersburg, Va., native completed his training at Tuskegee Institute in November 1942. Out of 20 cadets, he was one of four to become pilots. |
 |
|
The airmen were anxious to serve their country in the war but were not called overseas until several months after they completed training. Finally, in the summer of 1943, Baugh was assigned to the 99th Fighter Squadron in Sicily, eventually flying 135 combat missions.
In January 1944, Baugh and his squadron were recognized for
shooting down several German fighter-bombers over the Anzio beachhead, and he
was credited with one aerial victory himself. After 25 years of service with
the Army Air Corps, Baugh retired in 1967, accumulating more than 6,000 pilot
hours.
|
"Stay in school and strive for good grades. Develop a positive attitude and try to get some pleasure out of everything you do." |
After his military retirement, Baugh was employed by Eastman Kodak in Rochester, N.Y., where he retired in 1984 after 16 years of service.
For his outstanding military service, Baugh received several medals and awards, including the Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit award, Air Medal with three Oak Leaf clusters and Distinguished Flying Cross. In 2004, the French government presented Baugh with its highest and most prestigious military award, the French Legion of Honor.
Baugh, who has appeared at numerous speaking
engagements, now shares his memories of flight with the public — especially
with the younger generation. "Stay in school and strive for good grades.
Develop a positive attitude and try to get some pleasure out of everything
you do," he said.
^ Top