Pittsburgh's 239th Navy Birthday Ball

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🇺🇲WWII uncovered: In Memoriam: Honoring Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Jefferson of the Tuskegee Airmen

It is with great regret that we announced the passing of (retired) Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Jefferson of the Tuskegee Airmen on June 22, 2022 at the age of 100 years old.

Alexander Jefferson, a lifelong resident of Detroit Michigan, graduated from Tuskegee Army Air Field’s pilot training in 1944, followed by combat training at Selfridge Airfield in Harrison Township. While serving as a P-51 fighter pilot with the 332nd Fighter Group - 301st Fighter Squadron in Ramitelli, Italy, Jefferson flew 18 missions before being shot down and held as a Prisoner of War at Stalag Luft III in Poland for eight months.

After his release, Jefferson returned to the Tuskegee Army Airfield and served as an instrument instructor until he was honorably discharged from active duty in 1947 and retired from the Reserves in 1969 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Alexander Jefferson continued his legacy of service as a teacher within the Detroit Public School System, retiring in 1979 with over 30 years of service.

"On November 15, 2021Jefferson was honored on his 100th birthday as Detroit officials awarded him a key to the city, shared plans to construct Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson Plaza and rededicated Jefferson Field in Rouge Park, where he played as a child and flew model airplanes."

"Among his many honors, Lieutenant Colonel Jefferson was awarded the Purple Heart, Air Force Achievement Medal, POW Medal, American Defense Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, National Defense Reserve Medal, Armed Forced Reserve Medal, Bronze Star and in 1995 was inducted into the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame."

Please take a moment to join us in remembering Lieutenant Colonel Alexander Jefferson for a lifetime of service to his country and the state of Michigan. Rest in peace Sir. You are not forgotten.



©️ WWII uncovered original description and photos sourced by The City of Detroit Michigan, Detroit Free Press, Pacific Aviation Museum (Fair Use Photos)

🇺🇲 WWII uncovered: Paul Adams of the Tuskegee Airmen: A Lifetime of Service to His Country and Community

Lieutenant Colonel Paul Adams, of Greenville South Carolina, enrolled in the US Army after graduating from South Carolina State University in 1941. Paul trained at the Tuskegee University and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1943.

Adams flew with the 332nd Fighter Group, which established the unprecedented record of flying more than 1,500 missions in Europe and North Africa. Lieutenant Colonel Adams' career saw nine major campaigns and he received the Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf clusters.

According to CAF RISE ABOVE, "In 1945, Adams returned to the US and was Honorably discharged from the Army Air Corps. In 1946, Paul married Alda Thompson and the couple had three children. A year later he reentered the Air Force and served with distinction ultimately ending up as the Deputy Base Commander in Lincoln, Nebraska. He retired in 1963 with over 20 years of service."

Paul Adams continued serving his community by establishing an impressive career in education. He taught for a number of years at Lincoln High School and in 2008 the City of Lincoln honored his contributions by naming a newly built elementary school in his honor.

"After retiring from Lincoln Public Schools in 1982, he continued to be active in the community. He was active in Quinn Chapel AME Church serving as Sunday School superintendent, teacher, steward and choir member. He was past president of the Lincoln Chapter of the NAACP and a member of Capital City Kiwanis, the Retired Officers Association, MAD DADS and the Lt. Col Paul Adams chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. He was a member of the American Legion Post #3, Lebanon Lodge #3, Omega Psi Phi fraternity and a former Board Member of the Boy Scouts of America." (Lincoln Journal Star)

On March 29, 2007 Lieutenant Colonel Adams, along with other surviving Tuskegee Airmen and family representatives, received the Congressional Gold Medal from President Bush and Congress in a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda.

Paul Adams passed away on June 30, 2013 in Lincoln Nebraska at the age of 92. Lest We Forget.





©️WWII uncovered original description and photo sourced by US Army, Lincoln Journal Star, CAF RISE ABOVE and Ancestry Database (Fair Use Photos)

Green River Lakes and Squaretop Mountain, Wyoming 👀⛰
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Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco ,California, USA

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Monument Valley on the Utah-Arizona border 👀🌄
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