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'''Armour G. McDaniel, Sr.''' (July 7, 1916 – November 12, 1989) was a prominent [[African American]] U.S. Air Force [[Lieutenant Colonel]], former Commanding Officer of the [[301st Fighter Squadron]] (known affectionately as the "[[Tuskegee Airmen]]"), former Commandant of Cadets at [[Tuskegee Army Airfield]], and [[World War II]] [[prisoner of war]] who served during [[World War II]] and the [[Korean Conflict]]. <ref> Military Hall of Honor. “Lt. Col. Armour G. McDaniel, Sr.” https://militaryhallofhonor.com/honoree-record.php?id=2827 </ref>
'''Armour G. McDaniel, Sr.''' (July 7, 1916 – November 12, 1989) was a prominent [[African American]] U.S. Air Force [[Lieutenant Colonel]], former Commanding Officer of the [[301st Fighter Squadron]] (known affectionately as the "[[Tuskegee Airmen]]"), former Commandant of Cadets at [[Tuskegee Army Airfield]], and [[World War II]] [[prisoner of war]] who served during [[World War II]] and the [[Korean Conflict]]. <ref> Military Hall of Honor. “Lt. Col. Armour G. McDaniel, Sr.” https://militaryhallofhonor.com/honoree-record.php?id=2827 </ref>

[[File:Armour Sr 1.jpg|thumb|Armour G. McDaniel, circa 1940s]]


==Early Life, Education==
==Early Life, Education==
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==Military Service, Tuskegee Airmen==
==Military Service, Tuskegee Airmen==
McDaniel attended flight training at Tuskegee Army Airfield in [[Tuskegee, Alabama]] as a member of its Class 43-A, one of the first flight classes at the airfield. <ref> New York Times. “Armour G. McDaniel, Air Force Pilot, 73.” https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/16/obituaries/armour-g-mcdaniel-air-force-pilot-73.html </ref> Members of McDaniel’s 43-A class included [[George T. McCrumby]], [[Quitman C. Walker]], [[Andrew Maples]] Jr., [[Charles R. Stanton]], and [[Clinton B. Mills]]. <ref> U.S. Air Force Historical Research Agency. </ref> After completing training in January 14, 1943, McDaniel was deployed to Italy in December 1943 as a member of the all-African American [[301st Fighter Squadron]], better known as the “[[Tuskegee Airmen]].” <ref> CAF RISE ABOVE. “LTC Armour G. McDaniel Sr.” https://cafriseabove.org/armour-g-mcdaniel-sr/ </ref> The squadron’s mission was to provide air cover for Allied ships navigating the Naples, Italy’s harbor and escort Allied bombers into Germany’s strategic targets.
McDaniel attended flight training at Tuskegee Army Airfield in [[Tuskegee, Alabama]] as a member of its Class 43-A, one of the first flight classes at the airfield. <ref> New York Times. “Armour G. McDaniel, Air Force Pilot, 73.” https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/16/obituaries/armour-g-mcdaniel-air-force-pilot-73.html </ref> Members of McDaniel’s 43-A class included [[George T. McCrumby]], [[Quitman C. Walker]], [[Andrew Maples]] Jr., [[Charles R. Stanton]], and [[Clinton B. Mills]]. <ref> U.S. Air Force Historical Research Agency. </ref> After completing training in January 14, 1943, McDaniel was deployed to Italy in December 1943 as a member of the all-African American [[301st Fighter Squadron]], better known as the “[[Tuskegee Airmen]].” <ref> CAF RISE ABOVE. “LTC Armour G. McDaniel Sr.” https://cafriseabove.org/armour-g-mcdaniel-sr/ </ref> The squadron’s mission was to provide air cover for Allied ships navigating the Naples, Italy’s harbor and escort Allied bombers into Germany’s strategic targets.

[[File:Armour and officers.jpg|thumb|332nd Fighter Group: Back Row (L-R): Armour G. McDaniel - 13th person from the left]]

[[File:Armour and 43-A.jpg|thumb|Armour G. McDaniel with fellow Tuskegee Airmen]]


On March 24, 1945, Col. [[Benjamin O. Davis Jr.]] led 332nd Fighter Group pilots on a 1,600-mile bomber escort mission from the [[Foggia Airfield Complex]]'s Ramitelli AirField in Italy to protect bombers of the Fifteenth Air Force units on its way to dismantle an enemy tank assembly plant in [[Berlin, Germany]]. When fighter pilots scheduled to take over escort duties failed to show up and [[Benjamin O. Davis Jr.]]’s plane began to suffer engine problems, requiring him to head back to Ramitelli Air Field, McDaniel, now a Captain, assumed command from Davis, leading the pilots to Berlin despite their [[P-51]] aircraft running low on fuel. As they neared Berlin, McDaniels and his pilots were attacked by 25 German [[ Me-262]] fighter jets. They fought gallantly, downing three German jets and suffering no losses to their U.S. bomber fleet. Nonetheless, McDaniel, in the lead position, and another P-51 pilot were shot down and captured by the Germans. As McDaniel jumped from his plane, he fractured both of his legs as he landed to the ground.
On March 24, 1945, Col. [[Benjamin O. Davis Jr.]] led 332nd Fighter Group pilots on a 1,600-mile bomber escort mission from the [[Foggia Airfield Complex]]'s Ramitelli AirField in Italy to protect bombers of the Fifteenth Air Force units on its way to dismantle an enemy tank assembly plant in [[Berlin, Germany]]. When fighter pilots scheduled to take over escort duties failed to show up and [[Benjamin O. Davis Jr.]]’s plane began to suffer engine problems, requiring him to head back to Ramitelli Air Field, McDaniel, now a Captain, assumed command from Davis, leading the pilots to Berlin despite their [[P-51]] aircraft running low on fuel. As they neared Berlin, McDaniels and his pilots were attacked by 25 German [[ Me-262]] fighter jets. They fought gallantly, downing three German jets and suffering no losses to their U.S. bomber fleet. Nonetheless, McDaniel, in the lead position, and another P-51 pilot were shot down and captured by the Germans. As McDaniel jumped from his plane, he fractured both of his legs as he landed to the ground.
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The Germans initially transported McDaniel to [[Nuremburg, Germany]], [[Munich, Germany]], and ultimately [[Stalag VII-A]] near Moosburg, Germany for over 30 days, until he was liberated by [[General George Patton]]'s [[US Third Army]] on April 29, 1945.<ref>AFHI Virtual Museum. “The Story of Stalag Luft III: Part XI - Liberation.” http://www.comstation.com/afhi/museum/stalag/liberation.html </ref><ref> St Louis Today. “Lt. Col. Armour G. McDaniel leads 301st Fighter Squadron. Sep 26, 2009. https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/lt-col-armour-g-mcdaniel-leads-st-fighter-squadron/article_560f7b56-69d3-11df-b624-00127992bc8b.html </ref><ref> Martinsville Bulletin. "Tuskegee Airman Armour McDaniel of Martinsville honored his heroic service." Holly Kozelsky. Feb 28, 2019. https://martinsvillebulletin.com/news/local/tuskegee-airman-armour-mcdaniel-of-martinsville-honored-his-heroic-service/article_c11004a6-5223-50db-b7b7-0095bce66046.html </ref>
The Germans initially transported McDaniel to [[Nuremburg, Germany]], [[Munich, Germany]], and ultimately [[Stalag VII-A]] near Moosburg, Germany for over 30 days, until he was liberated by [[General George Patton]]'s [[US Third Army]] on April 29, 1945.<ref>AFHI Virtual Museum. “The Story of Stalag Luft III: Part XI - Liberation.” http://www.comstation.com/afhi/museum/stalag/liberation.html </ref><ref> St Louis Today. “Lt. Col. Armour G. McDaniel leads 301st Fighter Squadron. Sep 26, 2009. https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/lt-col-armour-g-mcdaniel-leads-st-fighter-squadron/article_560f7b56-69d3-11df-b624-00127992bc8b.html </ref><ref> Martinsville Bulletin. "Tuskegee Airman Armour McDaniel of Martinsville honored his heroic service." Holly Kozelsky. Feb 28, 2019. https://martinsvillebulletin.com/news/local/tuskegee-airman-armour-mcdaniel-of-martinsville-honored-his-heroic-service/article_c11004a6-5223-50db-b7b7-0095bce66046.html </ref>


In January 1945, McDaniel became the 301st Fighter Squadron’s commanding officer, replacing Major [[Lee Rayford]].<ref> Smithsonian NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM. "LT. Col. ARMOUR G. McDANIEL, USAF (Ret)." https://airandspace.si.edu/support/wall-of-honor/lt-col-armour-g-mcdaniel </ref> In 1946, McDaniel became the commandant of cadets at the Tuskegee Army Air Field.
In January 1945, McDaniel became the 301st Fighter Squadron’s commanding officer, replacing Major [[Lee Rayford]].<ref> Smithsonian NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM. "LT. Col. ARMOUR G. McDANIEL, USAF (Ret)." https://airandspace.si.edu/support/wall-of-honor/lt-col-armour-g-mcdaniel </ref> In 1946, McDaniel became the commandant of cadets at the Tuskegee Army Air Field. During the [[Korean Conflict]], McDaniel was stationed in Alaska where he led several units in Alaska.


During the Korean Conflict, McDaniel was stationed in Alaska where he led several units in Alaska.
In 1964, McDaniel retired from the active duty Air Force as a [[Lieutenant Colonel]]. He later worked for the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare in New York City as a Civil Rights Specialist.<ref> St Louis Today. “Lt. Col. Armour G. McDaniel leads 301st Fighter Squadron. Sep 26, 2009. https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/lt-col-armour-g-mcdaniel-leads-st-fighter-squadron/article_560f7b56-69d3-11df-b624-00127992bc8b.html </ref>
In 1964, McDaniel retired from the active duty Air Force as a [[Lieutenant Colonel]]. He later worked for the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare in New York City as a Civil Rights Specialist.<ref> St Louis Today. “Lt. Col. Armour G. McDaniel leads 301st Fighter Squadron. Sep 26, 2009. https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/lt-col-armour-g-mcdaniel-leads-st-fighter-squadron/article_560f7b56-69d3-11df-b624-00127992bc8b.html </ref>

[[File:Armour Sr 2.jpg|thumb|Armour G. McDaniel later in Life]]


==Family==
==Family==

Revision as of 18:29, 23 June 2021

Armour G. McDaniel, Sr. (July 7, 1916 – November 12, 1989) was a prominent African American U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel, former Commanding Officer of the 301st Fighter Squadron (known affectionately as the "Tuskegee Airmen"), former Commandant of Cadets at Tuskegee Army Airfield, and World War II prisoner of war who served during World War II and the Korean Conflict. [1]

File:Armour Sr 1.jpg
Armour G. McDaniel, circa 1940s

Early Life, Education

Armour G. McDaniel, Sr. was born July 7, 1916. A native of Martinsville, Virginia, McDaniel was the son of Charlie and Mary Earley McDaniel and a grandson of Sallie Ann Thomas Earley.[2]

McDaniel attended both Lucy Addison High School in Roanoke, Virginia and the Piedmont Christian Institute (High School) (closed in 1933). [3] [4]

He attended Virginia State University, graduating with a B.S. in Business Administration. He also graduated from Temple University with a P.A. in Economics, and received his Teacher Qualification from Rider College in Princeton, New Jersey. [5]

He returned to Martinsville, Virginia to teach English, History, and Social Science at his hometown all-African American high school until the beginning of the World War II.[6]

Military Service, Tuskegee Airmen

McDaniel attended flight training at Tuskegee Army Airfield in Tuskegee, Alabama as a member of its Class 43-A, one of the first flight classes at the airfield. [7] Members of McDaniel’s 43-A class included George T. McCrumby, Quitman C. Walker, Andrew Maples Jr., Charles R. Stanton, and Clinton B. Mills. [8] After completing training in January 14, 1943, McDaniel was deployed to Italy in December 1943 as a member of the all-African American 301st Fighter Squadron, better known as the “Tuskegee Airmen.” [9] The squadron’s mission was to provide air cover for Allied ships navigating the Naples, Italy’s harbor and escort Allied bombers into Germany’s strategic targets.

File:Armour and officers.jpg
332nd Fighter Group: Back Row (L-R): Armour G. McDaniel - 13th person from the left
File:Armour and 43-A.jpg
Armour G. McDaniel with fellow Tuskegee Airmen

On March 24, 1945, Col. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. led 332nd Fighter Group pilots on a 1,600-mile bomber escort mission from the Foggia Airfield Complex's Ramitelli AirField in Italy to protect bombers of the Fifteenth Air Force units on its way to dismantle an enemy tank assembly plant in Berlin, Germany. When fighter pilots scheduled to take over escort duties failed to show up and Benjamin O. Davis Jr.’s plane began to suffer engine problems, requiring him to head back to Ramitelli Air Field, McDaniel, now a Captain, assumed command from Davis, leading the pilots to Berlin despite their P-51 aircraft running low on fuel. As they neared Berlin, McDaniels and his pilots were attacked by 25 German Me-262 fighter jets. They fought gallantly, downing three German jets and suffering no losses to their U.S. bomber fleet. Nonetheless, McDaniel, in the lead position, and another P-51 pilot were shot down and captured by the Germans. As McDaniel jumped from his plane, he fractured both of his legs as he landed to the ground.

The Germans initially transported McDaniel to Nuremburg, Germany, Munich, Germany, and ultimately Stalag VII-A near Moosburg, Germany for over 30 days, until he was liberated by General George Patton's US Third Army on April 29, 1945.[10][11][12]

In January 1945, McDaniel became the 301st Fighter Squadron’s commanding officer, replacing Major Lee Rayford.[13] In 1946, McDaniel became the commandant of cadets at the Tuskegee Army Air Field. During the Korean Conflict, McDaniel was stationed in Alaska where he led several units in Alaska.

In 1964, McDaniel retired from the active duty Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel. He later worked for the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare in New York City as a Civil Rights Specialist.[14]

File:Armour Sr 2.jpg
Armour G. McDaniel later in Life

Family

After World War II, McDaniel married Faye J. Wilson McDaniel (1935–2019) of Fayetteville, Tennessee. [15] McDaniel had three children: Armour G. McDaniel, Jr. (October 2, 1952 - October 29, 1989), Gregory McDaniel and Gwendolyn Jackson. He also had four step-children: Delmer Jerome Edmonds, Jr., Kevin L. Edmonds, Donald E. Edmonds and Regina F. Majors.[16]

Death, Internments

McDaniel passed away on December 12, 1989 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is interred at Arlington National Cemetery in Section 65, Grave 2822.[17] His beloved wife, Faye, is buried alongside him in Arlington.[18]

File:Armour Grave.jpg
Armour G. McDaniel's gravesite at Arlington National Cemetery

His son, Armour G. McDaniel, Jr. died the same year on October 29, 1989 at Age 37. McDaniel, Jr. is interred in Saint Louis Cemetery, Number 3 in New Orleans, Louisiana. [19]

Legacy

McDaniel's widow, Faye, attended the 2016 ribbon-cutting ceremonies celebrating the renaming of a section of Interstate 65 near Columbus, Indiana for the Tuskegee Airmen. Surrounded by members of the U.S. military and government officials, Mrs. McDaniel cut the ribbon.[20]

A photograph capturing one of McDaniel's missions is displayed at the Smithsonian's National Aerospace Museum. The photograph shows a damaged wing on McDaniel's plane after he led an attack on German barges on the Danube River in 1944. McDaniel personally destroyed six barges, each containing approximately 250 troops. Despite damage to his plane, McDaniel successfully returned back to base.[21]

References

  1. ^ Military Hall of Honor. “Lt. Col. Armour G. McDaniel, Sr.” https://militaryhallofhonor.com/honoree-record.php?id=2827
  2. ^ Martinsville Bulletin. "Tuskegee Airman Armour McDaniel of Martinsville honored his heroic service." Holly Kozelsky. Feb 28, 2019. https://martinsvillebulletin.com/news/local/tuskegee-airman-armour-mcdaniel-of-martinsville-honored-his-heroic-service/article_c11004a6-5223-50db-b7b7-0095bce66046.html
  3. ^ The Roanoke Times. "4 Tuskegee Airmen were Lucy Addison High School grads." Feb 18, 2012. https://roanoke.com/archive/4-tuskegee-airmen-were-lucy-addison-high-school-grads/article_059e6a73-032a-57b9-ba6d-22976bd39cda.html
  4. ^ AfroVirginia. “Piedmont Christian Institute.” http://places.afrovirginia.org/items/show/338
  5. ^ Smithsonian NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM. "LT. Col. ARMOUR G. McDANIEL, USAF (Ret)." https://airandspace.si.edu/support/wall-of-honor/lt-col-armour-g-mcdaniel
  6. ^ Smithsonian NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM. "LT. Col. ARMOUR G. McDANIEL, USAF (Ret)." https://airandspace.si.edu/support/wall-of-honor/lt-col-armour-g-mcdaniel
  7. ^ New York Times. “Armour G. McDaniel, Air Force Pilot, 73.” https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/16/obituaries/armour-g-mcdaniel-air-force-pilot-73.html
  8. ^ U.S. Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  9. ^ CAF RISE ABOVE. “LTC Armour G. McDaniel Sr.” https://cafriseabove.org/armour-g-mcdaniel-sr/
  10. ^ AFHI Virtual Museum. “The Story of Stalag Luft III: Part XI - Liberation.” http://www.comstation.com/afhi/museum/stalag/liberation.html
  11. ^ St Louis Today. “Lt. Col. Armour G. McDaniel leads 301st Fighter Squadron. Sep 26, 2009. https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/lt-col-armour-g-mcdaniel-leads-st-fighter-squadron/article_560f7b56-69d3-11df-b624-00127992bc8b.html
  12. ^ Martinsville Bulletin. "Tuskegee Airman Armour McDaniel of Martinsville honored his heroic service." Holly Kozelsky. Feb 28, 2019. https://martinsvillebulletin.com/news/local/tuskegee-airman-armour-mcdaniel-of-martinsville-honored-his-heroic-service/article_c11004a6-5223-50db-b7b7-0095bce66046.html
  13. ^ Smithsonian NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM. "LT. Col. ARMOUR G. McDANIEL, USAF (Ret)." https://airandspace.si.edu/support/wall-of-honor/lt-col-armour-g-mcdaniel
  14. ^ St Louis Today. “Lt. Col. Armour G. McDaniel leads 301st Fighter Squadron. Sep 26, 2009. https://www.stltoday.com/news/local/lt-col-armour-g-mcdaniel-leads-st-fighter-squadron/article_560f7b56-69d3-11df-b624-00127992bc8b.html
  15. ^ Find a Grave. “Faye J Wilson McDaniel.” https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/205688089/faye-j.-mcdaniel.”
  16. ^ Find a Grave. “Faye J Wilson McDaniel.” https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/205688089/faye-j.-mcdaniel.”
  17. ^ Find a Grave. Lt. Col. Armour G. McDaniel, Sr. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/18238/armour-g.-mcdaniel
  18. ^ Find a Grave. “Faye J Wilson McDaniel.” https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/205688089/faye-j.-mcdaniel.”
  19. ^ Find a Grave. Lt. Col. Armour G. McDaniel, Jr. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/189108194/armour-g-mcdaniel
  20. ^ “Stretch of I-65 renamed to recognize Tuskegee Airmen.” Julie McClure. 10/21/2016. http://www.tribtown.com/2016/10/21/stretch-of-i-65-renamed-to-recognize-tuskegee-airmen/
  21. ^ Martinsville Bulletin. "Tuskegee Airman Armour McDaniel of Martinsville honored his heroic service." Holly Kozelsky. Feb 28, 2019. https://martinsvillebulletin.com/news/local/tuskegee-airman-armour-mcdaniel-of-martinsville-honored-his-heroic-service/article_c11004a6-5223-50db-b7b7-0095bce66046.html
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