Joseph Elsberry: Difference between revisions
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Revision as of 22:47, 23 June 2021
Joseph D. Elsberry (April 25, 1921 – March 31, 1985) was an African American U.S. military officer, World War II fighter pilot, and an [[Ace] within the 301st Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group affectionately known as the "Tuskegee Airmen." [1] Regarded as one of the most talented, fiercest fighter jet pilots among Tuskegee Airmen, Elsberry destroyed three enemy aircraft over France in a single mission on July 12, 1944, becoming the first African American fighter pilot to do so. His heroics earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Early Life
Born Joseph Dubois Elsberry, Elsberry was raised in Langston, Oklahoma.
2nd Lt. 0792420 Langston, OK April 25, 1921 – March 31, 1985 Unit: 301st Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group
Class 42-H-SE 9/6/1942
Education
Elsberry attended Langston University, graduating in 19XX.
Military Career, Tuskegee Airmen]]
Elsberry enlisted in the US Army in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on 19 Feb 1942, receiving Army Serial Number 18086103 <rev> Fold3. "Joseph D. Elsberry." https://www.fold3.com/page/84801016/joseph-d-elsberry/facts </ref> A member of Tuskegee Airmen Flight School Class 42-H-SE, he graduated from the Tuskegee Army Flying School on September 6, 1942.
On June 23, 1944, Elsberry and his squadron of P-51 “Mustang” fighter jets sank a German destroyer in Italy's Trieste Harbor employing exclusively 50-caliber machine guns. Though the German military denied destruction of its destroyer at the hands of US fighter pilots, film confirmed the successful attack.[2]
On July 12, 1944, Elsberry, while escorting bombers with his squadron in southern Italy, shot down three German Focke-Wulf 190s in a single day.
On July 20, 1944, Elsberry destroyed an enemy Messerschmitt 109 aircraft on his accomplishments were tantamount to those of an “ace” fighter pilot. His 4 kills came very close to meeting US Military designation for a Fighter Ace.[3] Elsberry joined fellow Tuskegee Airmen Edward L. Toppins and Lee A. Archer ("Buddy" Archer) to each destroy four enemy aircraft. [4]
Elsberry retired in 1962 with the rank of Major.[5]
Later Life, Death
After returning to Oklahoma, Elsberry relocated to San Francisco in 1962, working for Western Electric Company until his final retirement in 1977.
On March 31, 1985, Elsberry passed away in his San Francisco, California apartment from a heart attack. He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery.[6]
- ^ Cafe Rise Above. "Joseph Dubois Elsberry". https://cafriseabove.org/joseph-d-elsberry/
- ^ Los Angles Times. "Joseph Elsberry; One of 1st Black Combat Pilots". APRIL 13, 1985. FROM TIMES WIRE SERVICES. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-04-13-fi-12351-story.html
- ^ "An American Fighter Ace is a U.S. citizen who has served honorably as a fighter pilot in a U.S. military service or the service of a nation not at war with the United States (or others who flew as a member of a U.S. military service) who has destroyed five or more enemy aircraft in aerial combat." The American Fighter Aces Association. "The American Fighter Ace". https://www.americanfighteraces.org/the-aces/
- ^ Aces of WW2. "Tuskegee Airmen." https://acesofww2.com/tuskegee/
- ^ Los Angles Times. "Joseph Elsberry; One of 1st Black Combat Pilots". APRIL 13, 1985. FROM TIMES WIRE SERVICES. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-04-13-fi-12351-story.html
- ^ Los Angles Times. "Joseph Elsberry; One of 1st Black Combat Pilots". APRIL 13, 1985. FROM TIMES WIRE SERVICES. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-04-13-fi-12351-story.html