Red Tails Aim High!: A Tribute to Bay Area Tuskegee Airmen Veterans
USS Hornet Museum’s Living Ship Series Pays Tribute to Tuskegee Airmen
Alameda CA, March 2012 – The USS Hornet Museum will pay tribute to several local veterans of the famed WWII Tuskegee Air Squadron on March 17 as part of its Living Ship Day.
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The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American military aviators in the United States Armed Forces. They fought and flew with distinction during World War II. Their story was recently chronicled in Red Tails. Despite the racial discrimination they faced both in and outside the Army, they trained and flew with distinction. In recognition of their efforts and bravery, the Tuskegee Airmen were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.
The event begins at 1 p.m. with a presentation by the Tuskegee veterans sharing their experiences. It will be followed by a meet and greet.
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Among those scheduled to attend include:
- Capt. Edward Woodward of Vallejo. He joined the Tuskegee Squadron in 1945 and served 30 years in the military.
- Lt. Lee Roy Gillead of San Francisco. He trained in the B-25 Bomber program and is a Tuskegee author and historian.
- Capt. Les Williams of Belmont, was the first pilot to graduate from the B-25 Bomber program.
- Lt. Burl Smith of Oakland was trained as a fighter pilot.
- Sgt. Clyde Grimes of Oakland, was in intelligence bureau of Tuskegee Airmen.
- Lt. Col Harold Hoskins of Danville, class of 46A, and he also served in Vietnam from 1963-1964. Retired in 1971 as Lt. Col.
Any other Tuskegee veterans will be given complimentary admission to the Museum that day.
A number of musical performances and activities will take between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Among the musical performers are The Frisky Frolics and the Swinging Blues Stars who take the stage at 12:30 p.m. There will also be a number of children’s activities.
Living Ship Day aboard the Hornet offers something for everyone. The museum comes to life as an operating aircraft carrier with flight simulations between 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. when aircraft are lifted to the flight deck and placed into launch position. Visitors can meet former crew, sit in the cockpit of a fighter jet, and enjoy the sights and sounds of naval aviation.
Living Ship Day demonstrations are held on the third Saturday of most months. Normal museum hours and admission prices apply. Museum Members receive free admission. Ample free parking is available across from the pier. The USS Hornet Museum is located at 707 W Hornet Ave, Pier 3 in Alameda.
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About the USS Hornet Museum:
The USS Hornet Museum is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to inspiring people of all ages to experience the legacy of naval history, science, and space technology. A registered state and national historic landmark, the ship is permanently berthed at 707 W. Hornet Avenue, Pier 3 in Alameda, CA. The ship is open to the public daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Regular museum admission is $6-$15 for youths through adults and there is ample free parking across from the pier. For more information, visit www.uss-hornet.org or call (510) 521-8448.
