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At the beginning of the 1940s, the U.S. Army possess only 62 qualified weather forecasters. To remain a highly functional operation, the Army Air Forces anticipated a minimal requirement of 10,000 weather forecasters and weather observers.<ref> The Press of Atlantic City. "Black Americans broke weather barriers during WWII, work still to go. Joe Martucci. Feb 27, 2018. https://pressofatlanticcity.com/features/black-americans-broke-weather-barriers-during-wwii-work-still-to/article_8d1a1298-1b1a-542b-8faa-5ea3d8edc7e2.html#:~:text=White%20Jr.%2C%20the%20author%20of%20%E2%80%9CTuskegee%20%28Weather%29%20Airmen,II%20were%20few%20and%20far%20between.%20Only </ref>
At the beginning of the 1940s, the U.S. Army possess only 62 qualified weather forecasters. To remain a highly functional operation, the Army Air Forces anticipated a minimal requirement of 10,000 weather forecasters and weather observers.<ref> The Press of Atlantic City. "Black Americans broke weather barriers during WWII, work still to go. Joe Martucci. Feb 27, 2018. https://pressofatlanticcity.com/features/black-americans-broke-weather-barriers-during-wwii-work-still-to/article_8d1a1298-1b1a-542b-8faa-5ea3d8edc7e2.html#:~:text=White%20Jr.%2C%20the%20author%20of%20%E2%80%9CTuskegee%20%28Weather%29%20Airmen,II%20were%20few%20and%20far%20between.%20Only </ref>


To train a sufficient number of military weather forecasters, the Army Air Forces set up a weather cadet program in collaboration with the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] ([[MIT]]), [[New York University]] ([[NYU]]) and the [[California Institute of Technology]] {[[California Institute of Technology|CIT]]), and later with the [[University of Chicago]], the [[University of California Los Angeles]] ([[UCLA]]) and a special Army Air Forces program in [[Grand Rapids, Michigan]].<ref> MIT Black History. "Tuskegee Airmen Connecting Flights at MIT." https://www.blackhistory.mit.edu/story/tuskegee-airmen </ref> The program's prerequisites included degrees in engineering, mathematics, physics or chemistry degrees, with a minimum of two years of coursework required in the program's later years. Through an extensive search for its second meteorological aviation cadet class in July 1941, MIT officials recruited Reed to join its program.
To train a sufficient number of military weather forecasters, the Army Air Forces set up a weather cadet program in collaboration with the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] ([[MIT]]), [[New York University]] ([[NYU]]) and the [[California Institute of Technology]] {[[CIT]]), and later with the [[University of Chicago]], the [[University of California Los Angeles]] ([[UCLA]]) and a special Army Air Forces program in [[Grand Rapids, Michigan]].<ref> MIT Black History. "Tuskegee Airmen Connecting Flights at MIT." https://www.blackhistory.mit.edu/story/tuskegee-airmen </ref> The program's prerequisites included degrees in engineering, mathematics, physics or chemistry degrees, with a minimum of two years of coursework required in the program's later years. Through an extensive search for its second meteorological aviation cadet class in July 1941, MIT officials recruited Reed to join its program.


After graduating and completing a three-week post-graduation military meteorologist orientation at [[Mitchel Field, New York]], Reed was commissioned into the Army Air Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant on March 21, 1942, three weeks before future U.S. General and future [[Tuskegee Airmen]] Commander [[Benjamin O. Davis Jr.]] and fellow members of Tuskegee's inaugural fighter pilot training class graduated.
After graduating and completing a three-week post-graduation military meteorologist orientation at [[Mitchel Field, New York]], Reed was commissioned into the Army Air Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant on March 21, 1942, three weeks before future U.S. General and future [[Tuskegee Airmen]] Commander [[Benjamin O. Davis Jr.]] and fellow members of Tuskegee's inaugural fighter pilot training class graduated.
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As a Lieutenant and as later as a Captain, Reed created a fully operational weather station to provide up-to-date forecasts and weather briefings to flight school officers and instructors.<ref> Weather Blog: Shade Tree Meteorology. "The Famous Tuskegee Airmen…and Meteorologists." ALICIA WASULA. JUNE 4, 2020 BY https://www.shadetreemeteorology.com/blog/profiles/the-famous-tuskegee-airmen-and-meteorologists/ </ref> Reed led 15 enlisted men and officers, preparing several weather officers for deployment overseas. Though his weather detachment's officer corps represented only 0.2 percent of all U.S. military weather officers<ref> Tuskegee (Weather) Airmen Black Meteorologists during World War II. Gerald A. White Jr., staff historian -HQ Air Force Reserve Command. </ref>, Reed's all-African American weather officer corps included:
As a Lieutenant and as later as a Captain, Reed created a fully operational weather station to provide up-to-date forecasts and weather briefings to flight school officers and instructors.<ref> Weather Blog: Shade Tree Meteorology. "The Famous Tuskegee Airmen…and Meteorologists." ALICIA WASULA. JUNE 4, 2020 BY https://www.shadetreemeteorology.com/blog/profiles/the-famous-tuskegee-airmen-and-meteorologists/ </ref> Reed led 15 enlisted men and officers, preparing several weather officers for deployment overseas. Though his weather detachment's officer corps represented only 0.2 percent of all U.S. military weather officers<ref> Tuskegee (Weather) Airmen Black Meteorologists during World War II. Gerald A. White Jr., staff historian -HQ Air Force Reserve Command. </ref>, Reed's all-African American weather officer corps included:


* Lt. Grant Lafayette Franklin (21 Jun 1918 - 20 Apr 2016), a graduate of [[Langston University]] who, after [[World War II], earned a Master's Degree from [[Atlanta University]] and a Medical Degree from [[Meharry Medical College]], practicing general surgery in Cleveland, Ohio for over 40 years;<ref> Find a Grave. "Dr. Grant Lafayette Franklin." https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/161620498/grant-lafayette-franklin </ref><ref> The Tribune Democrat. "These trailblazers were America’s 1st Black meteorologists." Ashley Williams. Feb 13, 2021 https://www.tribdem.com/news/editorials/columns/these-trailblazers-were-america-s-1st-black-meteorologists/article_2d5446f2-6d5e-11eb-af9d-272eda5cbabc.html </ref>;
* Lt. Grant Lafayette Franklin (21 Jun 1918 - 20 Apr 2016), a [[Langston University]] Mathematics graduate and one of the two final black weather officer graduates of the Grand Rapids AAF Weather Training Center in September 1943. Served as Assistant Weather Officer; received instruction in forecasting.<The Free Library. "Tuskegee (weather) airmen: black meteorologists in World War II." https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Tuskegee+(weather)+airmen%3a+black+meteorologists+in+World+War+II.-a0146959181 </ref> After [[World War II], Franklin earned a Master's Degree from [[Atlanta University]] and a Medical Degree from [[Meharry Medical College]], practicing general surgery in Cleveland, Ohio for over 40 years;<ref> Find a Grave. "Dr. Grant Lafayette Franklin." https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/161620498/grant-lafayette-franklin </ref><ref> The Tribune Democrat. "These trailblazers were America’s 1st Black meteorologists." Ashley Williams. Feb 13, 2021 https://www.tribdem.com/news/editorials/columns/these-trailblazers-were-america-s-1st-black-meteorologists/article_2d5446f2-6d5e-11eb-af9d-272eda5cbabc.html </ref>;
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* Lt. [[Archie Williams]] (May 1, 1915 – June 24, 1993), a Mechanical Engineer and [[1936 Summer Olympics]] [[Gold Medalist]] & [[400 metres]] World Record holder<ref> Fox 2 Detroit. "From Olympic Gold to Weather Forecasting. A Black History Month Weather or Not". Lori Pinson. February 12, 2021. https://www.fox2detroit.com/weather/from-olympic-gold-to-weather-forecasting-a-black-history-month-weather-or-not </ref><ref> Nellis Airforce Base. "Valentine’s day marks 1st for African American Meteorologist." Jerry White, 99th Air Base Wing Historian. February 21, 2012. https://www.nellis.af.mil/News/Article/284865/valentines-day-marks-1st-for-african-american-meteorologist/ </ref><ref> The Tribune Democrat. "These trailblazers were America’s 1st Black meteorologists." Ashley Williams. Feb 13, 2021 https://www.tribdem.com/news/editorials/columns/these-trailblazers-were-america-s-1st-black-meteorologists/article_2d5446f2-6d5e-11eb-af9d-272eda5cbabc.html </ref>;


* Lt. John Benjamin Branche (2 Jan 1922 - 13 Aug 2006), a graduate of [[Queens College]] who retired as a Major, attended [[Cornell Medical School]], and became the Chief of Pediatrics at [[Mercy Hospital]]{{dn|date=June 2021}} in [[Rockville Center, New York]] and Nassau County Health Commissioner<ref> Find a Grave. "John Benjamin Blanche." https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/84150245/john-benjamin-branche </ref><ref> Nellis Airforce Base. "Valentine’s day marks 1st for African American Meteorologist." Jerry White, 99th Air Base Wing Historian. February 21, 2012. https://www.nellis.af.mil/News/Article/284865/valentines-day-marks-1st-for-african-american-meteorologist/ </ref><ref> The Tribune Democrat. "These trailblazers were America’s 1st Black meteorologists." Ashley Williams. Feb 13, 2021 https://www.tribdem.com/news/editorials/columns/these-trailblazers-were-america-s-1st-black-meteorologists/article_2d5446f2-6d5e-11eb-af9d-272eda5cbabc.html </ref>;
* Lt. [[Archie Williams]] (May 1, 1915 – June 24, 1993), a UCLA weather cadet program graduate, [[UC Berkeley]] Mechanical Engineer graduate and [[1936 Summer Olympics]] [[Gold Medalist]] & [[400 metres]] World Record holder. Though a civilian flight instructor at Tuskegee, Williams was considered too old at age 27 to enter fighter pilot flight training and was sent to UCLA for the weather officer course.<The Free Library. "Tuskegee (weather) airmen: black meteorologists in World War II." https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Tuskegee+(weather)+airmen%3a+black+meteorologists+in+World+War+II.-a0146959181 </ref><ref> Fox 2 Detroit. "From Olympic Gold to Weather Forecasting. A Black History Month Weather or Not". Lori Pinson. February 12, 2021. https://www.fox2detroit.com/weather/from-olympic-gold-to-weather-forecasting-a-black-history-month-weather-or-not </ref><ref> Nellis Airforce Base. "Valentine’s day marks 1st for African American Meteorologist." Jerry White, 99th Air Base Wing Historian. February 21, 2012. https://www.nellis.af.mil/News/Article/284865/valentines-day-marks-1st-for-african-american-meteorologist/ </ref><ref> The Tribune Democrat. "These trailblazers were America’s 1st Black meteorologists." Ashley Williams. Feb 13, 2021 https://www.tribdem.com/news/editorials/columns/these-trailblazers-were-america-s-1st-black-meteorologists/article_2d5446f2-6d5e-11eb-af9d-272eda5cbabc.html </ref>;


* John Willis, a former aerial photographic & photogrammetric engineering assistant for the Alaskan Branch of the U.S. Geological Survey. An Education graduate from [[Trenton State Teachers College]] and graduate of [[Howard University]], Willis was one of the final two African American cadets from the [[MIT]] program. On January 31, 1944, Willis was transferred from Tuskegee to the 553rd FS. In March 1944, Willis was again transferred to the 477th Bombardment Group.<The Free Library. "Tuskegee (weather) airmen: black meteorologists in World War II." https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Tuskegee+(weather)+airmen%3a+black+meteorologists+in+World+War+II.-a0146959181 </ref>
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* Lt. [[Paul Wise]]<ref> Nellis Airforce Base. "Valentine’s day marks 1st for African American Meteorologist." Jerry White, 99th Air Base Wing Historian. February 21, 2012. https://www.nellis.af.mil/News/Article/284865/valentines-day-marks-1st-for-african-american-meteorologist/ </ref><ref> The Tribune Democrat. "These trailblazers were America’s 1st Black meteorologists." Ashley Williams. Feb 13, 2021 https://www.tribdem.com/news/editorials/columns/these-trailblazers-were-america-s-1st-black-meteorologists/article_2d5446f2-6d5e-11eb-af9d-272eda5cbabc.html </ref>;


Horace King. a Mathematics graduate from [[Knoxville College]], King was a product of the [[University of Chicago]] cadet program. In April 1948, King transferred from Lockbourne AFB in April 1948 to [[Ft. Richardson, Alaska]]. After graduating from the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in 1951, King taught at the Chanute AFB weather school until 1955. In 1964, King retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.<The Free Library. "Tuskegee (weather) airmen: black meteorologists in World War II." https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Tuskegee+(weather)+airmen%3a+black+meteorologists+in+World+War+II.-a0146959181 </ref>
* Lt. Robert Maurice Preer, Sr. (Died 2008 at Age 90 in Florida; father of 1965 [[MIT]] graduate Robert Maurice Preer, Jr.)<ref>Bamit. "Reflections of an MIT Student Activist
⚫
Part III: Uniting the Spirit of the BSU through Music." Jul 31, 2017. https://medium.com/bamit-review/reflections-of-an-mit-student-activist-d2035740e2ff </ref><ref> Legacy. "Robert Maurice Preer." https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/timesunion/name/robert-preer-obituary?pid=117739727</ref><ref> Nellis Airforce Base. "Valentine’s day marks 1st for African American Meteorologist." Jerry White, 99th Air Base Wing Historian. February 21, 2012. https://www.nellis.af.mil/News/Article/284865/valentines-day-marks-1st-for-african-american-meteorologist/ </ref> <ref> The Tribune Democrat. "These trailblazers were America’s 1st Black meteorologists." Ashley Williams. Feb 13, 2021 https://www.tribdem.com/news/editorials/columns/these-trailblazers-were-america-s-1st-black-meteorologists/article_2d5446f2-6d5e-11eb-af9d-272eda5cbabc.html </ref>;


⚫
* Lt. John Benjamin Branche (2 Jan 1922 - 13 Aug 2006), a graduate of [[Queens College]] who retired as a Major, attended [[Cornell Medical School]], and became the Chief of Pediatrics at [[Mercy Hospital]] in [[Rockville Center, New York]] and Nassau County Health Commissioner<ref> Find a Grave. "John Benjamin Blanche." https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/84150245/john-benjamin-branche </ref><ref> Nellis Airforce Base. "Valentine’s day marks 1st for African American Meteorologist." Jerry White, 99th Air Base Wing Historian. February 21, 2012. https://www.nellis.af.mil/News/Article/284865/valentines-day-marks-1st-for-african-american-meteorologist/ </ref><ref> The Tribune Democrat. "These trailblazers were America’s 1st Black meteorologists." Ashley Williams. Feb 13, 2021 https://www.tribdem.com/news/editorials/columns/these-trailblazers-were-america-s-1st-black-meteorologists/article_2d5446f2-6d5e-11eb-af9d-272eda5cbabc.html </ref>;
⚫
* [[Charles E. Anderson]] (1919–1994), a 1943 graduate of Army Air Forces's TTC program in meteorology at the [[University of Chicago]] and the first African American to receive a Ph.D. in [[Meteorology]].<ref> Weather Blog: Shade Tree Meteorology. "The Famous Tuskegee Airmen…and Meteorologists." ALICIA WASULA. JUNE 4, 2020 BY https://www.shadetreemeteorology.com/blog/profiles/the-famous-tuskegee-airmen-and-meteorologists/ </ref>

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* Lt. [[Paul Wise]], one of the two final black weather officer graduates of the Grand Rapids AAF Weather Training Center in September 1943. Served as Assistant Weather Officer; received instruction in forecasting.<The Free Library. "Tuskegee (weather) airmen: black meteorologists in World War II." https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Tuskegee+(weather)+airmen%3a+black+meteorologists+in+World+War+II.-a0146959181 </ref> <ref> Nellis Airforce Base. "Valentine’s day marks 1st for African American Meteorologist." Jerry White, 99th Air Base Wing Historian. February 21, 2012. https://www.nellis.af.mil/News/Article/284865/valentines-day-marks-1st-for-african-american-meteorologist/ </ref><ref> The Tribune Democrat. "These trailblazers were America’s 1st Black meteorologists." Ashley Williams. Feb 13, 2021 https://www.tribdem.com/news/editorials/columns/these-trailblazers-were-america-s-1st-black-meteorologists/article_2d5446f2-6d5e-11eb-af9d-272eda5cbabc.html </ref>;

* Lt. Robert Maurice Preer, Sr., Chemistry graduate from [[Morehouse College]] in [[Atlanta, Georgia]]; Died in 2008 at Age 90 in Florida; father of 1965 [[MIT]] graduate Robert Maurice Preer, Jr.<The Free Library. "Tuskegee (weather) airmen: black meteorologists in World War II." https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Tuskegee+(weather)+airmen%3a+black+meteorologists+in+World+War+II.-a0146959181 </ref><ref>Bamit. "Reflections of an MIT Student Activist
⚫
Part III: Uniting the Spirit of the BSU through Music." Jul 31, 2017. https://medium.com/bamit-review/reflections-of-an-mit-student-activist-d2035740e2ff </ref><ref> Legacy. "Robert Maurice Preer." https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/timesunion/name/robert-preer-obituary?pid=117739727</ref><ref> Nellis Airforce Base. "Valentine’s day marks 1st for African American Meteorologist." Jerry White, 99th Air Base Wing Historian. February 21, 2012. https://www.nellis.af.mil/News/Article/284865/valentines-day-marks-1st-for-african-american-meteorologist/ </ref> <ref> The Tribune Democrat. "These trailblazers were America’s 1st Black meteorologists." Ashley Williams. Feb 13, 2021 https://www.tribdem.com/news/editorials/columns/these-trailblazers-were-america-s-1st-black-meteorologists/article_2d5446f2-6d5e-11eb-af9d-272eda5cbabc.html </ref>;


⚫
* [[Charles E. Anderson]] (1919–1994), a Chemistry graduate of Lincoln University in Missouri), Anderson was a 1943 graduate of Army Air Forces's TTC program in meteorology at the [[University of Chicago]]. On January 13, 1944, Anderson was transferred to [[Selfridge Field]], serving as weather officer for the 553d Fighter Squadron, the replacement training unit for the [[332rd Fighter Group]]. In May 1944, Anderson was transferred to the Walterboro Army Air Base (AAB)in South Carolina. and the first African American to receive a Ph.D. in [[Meteorology]]. <ref> Weather Blog: Shade Tree Meteorology. "The Famous Tuskegee Airmen…and Meteorologists." ALICIA WASULA. JUNE 4, 2020 BY https://www.shadetreemeteorology.com/blog/profiles/the-famous-tuskegee-airmen-and-meteorologists/ </ref><The Free Library. "Tuskegee (weather) airmen: black meteorologists in World War II." https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Tuskegee+(weather)+airmen%3a+black+meteorologists+in+World+War+II.-a0146959181 </ref>


Based on performance and standardized testing, the vast majority of Reed's enlisted staffers were awarded the AAF Weather Observer Badge.<ref> The Press of Atlantic City. "Black Americans broke weather barriers during WWII, work still to go. Joe Martucci. Feb 27, 2018. https://pressofatlanticcity.com/features/black-americans-broke-weather-barriers-during-wwii-work-still-to/article_8d1a1298-1b1a-542b-8faa-5ea3d8edc7e2.html#:~:text=White%20Jr.%2C%20the%20author%20of%20%E2%80%9CTuskegee%20%28Weather%29%20Airmen,II%20were%20few%20and%20far%20between.%20Only </ref>
When he began his career at Tuskegee, Reed had five enlisted weathermen in his ranks, all of them trained at [[Chanute Field]]. Upwards of forty enlisted men would work under Reed at Tuskegee. Based on performance and standardized testing, the vast majority of Reed's enlisted staffers were awarded the AAF Weather Observer Badge.<ref> The Press of Atlantic City. "Black Americans broke weather barriers during WWII, work still to go. Joe Martucci. Feb 27, 2018. https://pressofatlanticcity.com/features/black-americans-broke-weather-barriers-during-wwii-work-still-to/article_8d1a1298-1b1a-542b-8faa-5ea3d8edc7e2.html#:~:text=White%20Jr.%2C%20the%20author%20of%20%E2%80%9CTuskegee%20%28Weather%29%20Airmen,II%20were%20few%20and%20far%20between.%20Only </ref>


==Post-World War II Years, Family==
==Post-World War II Years, Family==

Revision as of 19:43, 27 June 2021

Wallace Patillo Reed (November 22, 1919- November 12, 1999) was a World War II U.S. Army Officer, U.S. Military Meteorologist, and the first ever African-American meteorologist in the U.S. Military. Reed served at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Tuskegee, Alabama as the chief Weather Officer responsible for advising Tuskegee Airmen pilots and instructors on weather maps and forecasts. [1] [2] Reed is believed to be the first ever African American meteorologist at the U.S. Weather Bureau, the predecessor organization of the National Weather Service.[3]

Wallace P. Reed
Born
Wallace Patillo Reed

November 22, 1919
Unknown, US
DiedNovember 12, 1999(1999-11-12) (aged 80)
Los Angeles, California, US
Resting placeRoosevelt Memorial Park
Alma materUniversity of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Occupations
  • Military officer
  • fighter pilot
Years active1942-1946

Early Life

Born Nov. 22, 1919, in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Reed was the son of Ralph M. Reed Sr. and Mary Pattillo Reed.[4]

Graduating from Portsmouth High School in 1937, Reed attended the University of New Hampshire where he earned a degree in Mathematics[5]

Military Service, First African American Military Meteorologist, Tuskegee Airmen

Wallace P. Reed was the first black cadet of the program. With a mathematics degree, he was commissioned as the first black weather officer in February 1942.

At the beginning of the 1940s, the U.S. Army possess only 62 qualified weather forecasters. To remain a highly functional operation, the Army Air Forces anticipated a minimal requirement of 10,000 weather forecasters and weather observers.[6]

To train a sufficient number of military weather forecasters, the Army Air Forces set up a weather cadet program in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), New York University (NYU) and the California Institute of Technology {CIT), and later with the University of Chicago, the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) and a special Army Air Forces program in Grand Rapids, Michigan.[7] The program's prerequisites included degrees in engineering, mathematics, physics or chemistry degrees, with a minimum of two years of coursework required in the program's later years. Through an extensive search for its second meteorological aviation cadet class in July 1941, MIT officials recruited Reed to join its program.

After graduating and completing a three-week post-graduation military meteorologist orientation at Mitchel Field, New York, Reed was commissioned into the Army Air Corps as a 2nd Lieutenant on March 21, 1942, three weeks before future U.S. General and future Tuskegee Airmen Commander Benjamin O. Davis Jr. and fellow members of Tuskegee's inaugural fighter pilot training class graduated.

The Army Air Forces assigned Reed to lead the Tuskegee Army Air Field's inaugural Tuskegee Weather Detachment as base weather officer. [8] Reed would become the first African-American meteorologist in the U.S. military. [9][10]

As a Lieutenant and as later as a Captain, Reed created a fully operational weather station to provide up-to-date forecasts and weather briefings to flight school officers and instructors.[11] Reed led 15 enlisted men and officers, preparing several weather officers for deployment overseas. Though his weather detachment's officer corps represented only 0.2 percent of all U.S. military weather officers[12], Reed's all-African American weather officer corps included:

Horace King. a Mathematics graduate from Knoxville College, King was a product of the University of Chicago cadet program. In April 1948, King transferred from Lockbourne AFB in April 1948 to Ft. Richardson, Alaska. After graduating from the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) in 1951, King taught at the Chanute AFB weather school until 1955. In 1964, King retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.<The Free Library. "Tuskegee (weather) airmen: black meteorologists in World War II." https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Tuskegee+(weather)+airmen%3a+black+meteorologists+in+World+War+II.-a0146959181 </ref>

When he began his career at Tuskegee, Reed had five enlisted weathermen in his ranks, all of them trained at Chanute Field. Upwards of forty enlisted men would work under Reed at Tuskegee. Based on performance and standardized testing, the vast majority of Reed's enlisted staffers were awarded the AAF Weather Observer Badge.[28]

Post-World War II Years, Family

On March 11, 1946, Reed completed his military service. [29] After the war, Reed relocated to Manila, Philippines where he worked for Pan American Airways.[30] Reed became a U.S. government official with the U.S. Weather Bureau at Nickols Field in Manila, Philippines, working there for over 30 years until back to the United States years later.[31]

Living in Alaminos, Pangasinan and Sampaloc, Manila, for 34 years, Reed met and married Raymunda N. Medrano, his wife for 46 years. They had two children, son Reynoldo N. Reed and daughter Erlinda N. Reed.[32]

Death

On November 12, 1999, Reed passed away in Los Angeles, California. He is interred at Roosevelt Memorial Park in Los Angeles, California. [33]

References

  1. ^ MIT Black History. "Tuskegee Airmen Connecting Flights at MIT." https://www.blackhistory.mit.edu/story/tuskegee-airmen
  2. ^ U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010. "Wallace Reed."
  3. ^ MIT Black History. "Tuskegee Airmen Connecting Flights at MIT." https://www.blackhistory.mit.edu/story/tuskegee-airmen
  4. ^ Seacoast Online. "Obituaries from November 24, 1999: Wallace P. Reed." https://www.seacoastonline.com/article/19991124/Obituaries/311249998
  5. ^ Weather Blog: Shade Tree Meteorology. "The Famous Tuskegee Airmen…and Meteorologists." ALICIA WASULA. JUNE 4, 2020 BY https://www.shadetreemeteorology.com/blog/profiles/the-famous-tuskegee-airmen-and-meteorologists/
  6. ^ The Press of Atlantic City. "Black Americans broke weather barriers during WWII, work still to go. Joe Martucci. Feb 27, 2018. https://pressofatlanticcity.com/features/black-americans-broke-weather-barriers-during-wwii-work-still-to/article_8d1a1298-1b1a-542b-8faa-5ea3d8edc7e2.html#:~:text=White%20Jr.%2C%20the%20author%20of%20%E2%80%9CTuskegee%20%28Weather%29%20Airmen,II%20were%20few%20and%20far%20between.%20Only
  7. ^ MIT Black History. "Tuskegee Airmen Connecting Flights at MIT." https://www.blackhistory.mit.edu/story/tuskegee-airmen
  8. ^ MIT Black History. "Tuskegee Airmen Connecting Flights at MIT." https://www.blackhistory.mit.edu/story/tuskegee-airmen
  9. ^ MIT Black History. "Tuskegee Airmen Connecting Flights at MIT." https://www.blackhistory.mit.edu/story/tuskegee-airmen
  10. ^ The Press of Atlantic City. "Black Americans broke weather barriers during WWII, work still to go. Joe Martucci. Feb 27, 2018. https://pressofatlanticcity.com/features/black-americans-broke-weather-barriers-during-wwii-work-still-to/article_8d1a1298-1b1a-542b-8faa-5ea3d8edc7e2.html#:~:text=White%20Jr.%2C%20the%20author%20of%20%E2%80%9CTuskegee%20%28Weather%29%20Airmen,II%20were%20few%20and%20far%20between.%20Only
  11. ^ Weather Blog: Shade Tree Meteorology. "The Famous Tuskegee Airmen…and Meteorologists." ALICIA WASULA. JUNE 4, 2020 BY https://www.shadetreemeteorology.com/blog/profiles/the-famous-tuskegee-airmen-and-meteorologists/
  12. ^ Tuskegee (Weather) Airmen Black Meteorologists during World War II. Gerald A. White Jr., staff historian -HQ Air Force Reserve Command.
  13. ^ Find a Grave. "Dr. Grant Lafayette Franklin." https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/161620498/grant-lafayette-franklin
  14. ^ The Tribune Democrat. "These trailblazers were America’s 1st Black meteorologists." Ashley Williams. Feb 13, 2021 https://www.tribdem.com/news/editorials/columns/these-trailblazers-were-america-s-1st-black-meteorologists/article_2d5446f2-6d5e-11eb-af9d-272eda5cbabc.html
  15. ^ Fox 2 Detroit. "From Olympic Gold to Weather Forecasting. A Black History Month Weather or Not". Lori Pinson. February 12, 2021. https://www.fox2detroit.com/weather/from-olympic-gold-to-weather-forecasting-a-black-history-month-weather-or-not
  16. ^ Nellis Airforce Base. "Valentine’s day marks 1st for African American Meteorologist." Jerry White, 99th Air Base Wing Historian. February 21, 2012. https://www.nellis.af.mil/News/Article/284865/valentines-day-marks-1st-for-african-american-meteorologist/
  17. ^ The Tribune Democrat. "These trailblazers were America’s 1st Black meteorologists." Ashley Williams. Feb 13, 2021 https://www.tribdem.com/news/editorials/columns/these-trailblazers-were-america-s-1st-black-meteorologists/article_2d5446f2-6d5e-11eb-af9d-272eda5cbabc.html
  18. ^ Find a Grave. "John Benjamin Blanche." https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/84150245/john-benjamin-branche
  19. ^ Nellis Airforce Base. "Valentine’s day marks 1st for African American Meteorologist." Jerry White, 99th Air Base Wing Historian. February 21, 2012. https://www.nellis.af.mil/News/Article/284865/valentines-day-marks-1st-for-african-american-meteorologist/
  20. ^ The Tribune Democrat. "These trailblazers were America’s 1st Black meteorologists." Ashley Williams. Feb 13, 2021 https://www.tribdem.com/news/editorials/columns/these-trailblazers-were-america-s-1st-black-meteorologists/article_2d5446f2-6d5e-11eb-af9d-272eda5cbabc.html
  21. ^ Nellis Airforce Base. "Valentine’s day marks 1st for African American Meteorologist." Jerry White, 99th Air Base Wing Historian. February 21, 2012. https://www.nellis.af.mil/News/Article/284865/valentines-day-marks-1st-for-african-american-meteorologist/
  22. ^ The Tribune Democrat. "These trailblazers were America’s 1st Black meteorologists." Ashley Williams. Feb 13, 2021 https://www.tribdem.com/news/editorials/columns/these-trailblazers-were-america-s-1st-black-meteorologists/article_2d5446f2-6d5e-11eb-af9d-272eda5cbabc.html
  23. ^ Bamit. "Reflections of an MIT Student Activist Part III: Uniting the Spirit of the BSU through Music." Jul 31, 2017. https://medium.com/bamit-review/reflections-of-an-mit-student-activist-d2035740e2ff
  24. ^ Legacy. "Robert Maurice Preer." https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/timesunion/name/robert-preer-obituary?pid=117739727
  25. ^ Nellis Airforce Base. "Valentine’s day marks 1st for African American Meteorologist." Jerry White, 99th Air Base Wing Historian. February 21, 2012. https://www.nellis.af.mil/News/Article/284865/valentines-day-marks-1st-for-african-american-meteorologist/
  26. ^ The Tribune Democrat. "These trailblazers were America’s 1st Black meteorologists." Ashley Williams. Feb 13, 2021 https://www.tribdem.com/news/editorials/columns/these-trailblazers-were-america-s-1st-black-meteorologists/article_2d5446f2-6d5e-11eb-af9d-272eda5cbabc.html
  27. ^ Weather Blog: Shade Tree Meteorology. "The Famous Tuskegee Airmen…and Meteorologists." ALICIA WASULA. JUNE 4, 2020 BY https://www.shadetreemeteorology.com/blog/profiles/the-famous-tuskegee-airmen-and-meteorologists/
  28. ^ The Press of Atlantic City. "Black Americans broke weather barriers during WWII, work still to go. Joe Martucci. Feb 27, 2018. https://pressofatlanticcity.com/features/black-americans-broke-weather-barriers-during-wwii-work-still-to/article_8d1a1298-1b1a-542b-8faa-5ea3d8edc7e2.html#:~:text=White%20Jr.%2C%20the%20author%20of%20%E2%80%9CTuskegee%20%28Weather%29%20Airmen,II%20were%20few%20and%20far%20between.%20Only
  29. ^ U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010. "Wallace Reed."
  30. ^ Nellis Airforce Base. "Valentine’s day marks 1st for African American Meteorologist." Jerry White, 99th Air Base Wing Historian. February 21, 2012. https://www.nellis.af.mil/News/Article/284865/valentines-day-marks-1st-for-african-american-meteorologist/
  31. ^ MIT Black History. "Tuskegee Airmen Connecting Flights at MIT." https://www.blackhistory.mit.edu/story/tuskegee-airmen
  32. ^ Seacoast Online. "Obituaries from November 24, 1999: Wallace P. Reed." https://www.seacoastonline.com/article/19991124/Obituaries/311249998
  33. ^ Find a Grave. "Wallace P. Reed." https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/117521866/wallace-p.-reed
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