Posted on Nov 21, 2016
Oldest Remaining Tuskegee Airman Dies at 101 in Florida
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Willie Rogers, the oldest surviving member of the original Tuskegee Airmen, died in St. Petersburg. He was 101.
The Tampa Bay Times reports as he approached his 100th birthday, Mr. Rogers lived in a senior apartment complex in downtown St. Petersburg, and walked the short distance every Sunday to services at historic Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. He had lived in St. Petersburg for the last 50 years of his life.
Rogers was drafted into the Army in 1942 and was part of the 100th Air Engineer Squad. Rogers also served with the Red Tail Angels.
In 2007, President George W. Bush awarded him with the Congressional Gold Medal.
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman acknowledged Rogers' death on social media Saturday.
@ SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas Capt Christopher MuellerCPT (Join to see)COL Mikel J. BurroughsSgt Joe LaBrancheSSgt (Join to see)Capt Seid WaddellSrA Christopher Wright LTC Stephen F.PO2 Ed C. PO2 Mark Saffell MSG Tom EarleyPVT James Strait Alan K. PO1 William "Chip" NagelSGT John " Mac " McConnellSSG Leo Bell PO2 Ed C.
The Tampa Bay Times reports as he approached his 100th birthday, Mr. Rogers lived in a senior apartment complex in downtown St. Petersburg, and walked the short distance every Sunday to services at historic Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church. He had lived in St. Petersburg for the last 50 years of his life.
Rogers was drafted into the Army in 1942 and was part of the 100th Air Engineer Squad. Rogers also served with the Red Tail Angels.
In 2007, President George W. Bush awarded him with the Congressional Gold Medal.
St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman acknowledged Rogers' death on social media Saturday.
@ SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas Capt Christopher MuellerCPT (Join to see)COL Mikel J. BurroughsSgt Joe LaBrancheSSgt (Join to see)Capt Seid WaddellSrA Christopher Wright LTC Stephen F.PO2 Ed C. PO2 Mark Saffell MSG Tom EarleyPVT James Strait Alan K. PO1 William "Chip" NagelSGT John " Mac " McConnellSSG Leo Bell PO2 Ed C.
Oldest Remaining Tuskegee Airman Dies at 101 in Florida
Posted from military.com
WWII World War Two
Military History
American History
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 15
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May he rest in peace, SP5 Mark Kuzinski.
I put this post on another thread about the Tuskegee Airmen, but I think it fits here also.
While in college, we skydived at Moton Field, Tuskegee, AL (home of the Tuskegee Airmen) all the time. The place was in ruins, but for the runway. It's since been placed on the National Historic Registry and restored. I went by to see it on 4MAR15. It's a spectacular place to visit. LTC Stephen F. Cpl Jeff N. Capt Seid Waddell SFC George Smith SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas COL Mikel J. Burroughs SGT Gregory Lawritson SSgt (Join to see)
I put this post on another thread about the Tuskegee Airmen, but I think it fits here also.
While in college, we skydived at Moton Field, Tuskegee, AL (home of the Tuskegee Airmen) all the time. The place was in ruins, but for the runway. It's since been placed on the National Historic Registry and restored. I went by to see it on 4MAR15. It's a spectacular place to visit. LTC Stephen F. Cpl Jeff N. Capt Seid Waddell SFC George Smith SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas COL Mikel J. Burroughs SGT Gregory Lawritson SSgt (Join to see)
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SP5 Mark Kuzinski, the Alabama Air National Guard paid homage to the Tuskegee Airmen by reactivating the 160th Fighter Squadron and adopting their distinctive red tail markings from WWII. Here an F-16C is seen wearing the special tail markings, flying alongside a WWII vintage P-51(D?), similar to those flown by the Tuskegee Airmen. LTC Stephen F. SGT Gregory Lawritson COL Mikel J. Burroughs SSgt Robert Marx Capt Seid Waddell SSgt (Join to see)
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SSgt Robert Marx
Wow! My old unit, the 120th Fighter Wing of the Montana Air National Guard, flew both aircraft. The Mustangs were a sturdy fighter, performing well during the Korean War. Thanks for the mention, sir!
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We are losing men like this every day. It is sad to see but they did their duty and served their nation under very tough circumstances. Like airmen before him, he has slipped the surly bonds of earth and touched the face of God. Rest in peace Willie.
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air… .
Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
— John Gillespie Magee, Jr
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of Earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth
Of sun-split clouds, — and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of — wheeled and soared and swung
High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there,
I've chased the shouting wind along, and flung
My eager craft through footless halls of air… .
Up, up the long, delirious burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace
Where never lark, or ever eagle flew —
And, while with silent, lifting mind I've trod
The high untrespassed sanctity of space,
Put out my hand, and touched the face of God.
— John Gillespie Magee, Jr
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SP5 Mark Kuzinski
HIGH FLIGHT TV STATION SIGN-OFF - 1972
A poem dedicated to the spirit of flight - Was shown on tv stations just before sign off - Later T-38 version - Some saw this in color then - Also see the ea...
We must always remember! Thanks for the poem that I love so very much!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uGP74qRzSc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6uGP74qRzSc
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