Charles DeBow: Difference between revisions

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←Created page with '{{Infobox person | name = Charles DeBow | birth_name = Charles Henry DeBow, Jr. | birth_date = Feb 13, 1918 | birth_place = London, West Virginia, US | death_date = {{death date and age|1985|03|08|1918|09|24}} | death_place = Sacramento, California, US | resting_place = Calvary Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana, Marion County, USA PLOT Sec-C-35 Lot-245 Sp-1 | alma_mater = [...'
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Revision as of 15:43, 17 July 2021

Charles DeBow
Born
Charles Henry DeBow, Jr.

Feb 13, 1918
London, West Virginia, US
DiedMarch 8, 1985(1985-03-08) (aged 66)
Sacramento, California, US
Resting placeCalvary Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana, Marion County, USA PLOT Sec-C-35 Lot-245 Sp-1
Alma materIndiana University Hampton Institute
Occupations
  • Military officer
  • fighter pilot
Years active1943–1962

Charles DeBow (Feb 13, 1918 – April 4, 1986) was an officer in the U.S. Army Air Force and combat fighter pilot and commanding officer of the 332nd Fighter Group's 301st Fighter Squadron, best known as the all-African American Tuskegee Airmen, "Red Tails," or “Schwartze Vogelmenschen” ("Black Birdmen")) among enemy German pilots.[1] He was one of the 1007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots.[2][3]

In July 1941, DeBow entered aviation cadet training with the Tuskegee Airmen's first class of aviation cadets, Class 42-C-SE.[4] On March 6, 1942, DeBow graduated from aviation cadet training with Captain Benjamin O. Davis Jr., future Tuskegee Airmen Commander and future U.S. four-star general; 2nd Lt. George S. Roberts ("Spanky" Roberts - September 24, 1918 - March 8, 1984), 2nd Lt. Mac Ross (1912-1944), and 2nd Lt. Lemuel R. Custis (1915 – 2005).[5]

Early Life, Family

DeBow was born on February 18, 1918 in Indianapolis, Indiana. He was the son of Charles Henry DeBow (September 17, 1891 - March 1981) of Lebanon, Tennessee and Anna Sue Horne DeBow (December 25, 1896 - January 1980) of Tennessee.[6] DeBow's parents moved from Tennessee to Indianapolis before DeBow was born.[7]

After high school, DeBow enrolled at Indiana University Hampton Institute.[8] Though DeBow's father wanted DeBow to study medicine to ensure a good living in a segregated society, DeBow transferred to Hampton Institute to study business and enroll in the Civil Pilot training course there[9]. After working numerous jobs to save money, Debow dropped out of Hampton University to enlist in the U.S. Army.[10]

DeBow was married to Aurelia Jane Priscilla Stuart DeBow (1926–2017).[11] They had several children.[12] Aurelia worked as a school teacher in the Indianapolis Public Schools for over 30 years. She earned two Master's degrees of Education Degrees from Indiana University.[13] DeBow's son, Captain William DeBow, served as the Commander of the Port Hueneme Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center.[14] Daughter Kay DeBow was a co-founder of the National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC).[15]

Military Career, Tuskegee Airmen

On July 19, 1941, DeBow was admitted into the U.S. Army Air Corps Tuskegee Aviation Cadet training program's inaugural class at Tuskegee Army Air Field, Class 42-C-SE. [16]

In addition to Debow, the class included[17][18]

  • Student officer Captain Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., Commandant of Cadets, and future Tuskegee Airmen Commander and future U.S. four-star general;
  • John C. Anderson, Jr.;
  • Charles D. Brown
  • Theodore E. Brown
  • Marion A. Carter
  • Lemuel R. Custis (June 4, 1915 – February 24, 2005);
  • Mac Ross (1912-1944)
  • Frederick H. Moore
  • Ulysses S. Pannell
  • George S. Roberts ("Spanky" Roberts) (September 24, 1918 - March 8, 1984);
  • William H. Slade[19]
  • Roderick C. Williams.

On March 6, 1942, only DeBow and four other cadets graduated from the program: Captain Benjamin O. Davis Jr., 2nd Lt. Lemuel R. Custis, 2nd Lt. Mac Ross, and 2nd Lt. George S. Roberts ("Spanky" Roberts). Class 42-C-SE created America's first African-American U.S. Army Air Corps pilots.[20]

During World War II, DeBow served as squadron commander of the 332rd fighter group's 301st Fighter Squadron.[21] He flew 52 combat missions in World War II's European Theater including aerial coverage for D-Day's Operation Overlord.[22]

During a mission, DeBow was injured and lost his flight status. DeBow left the military with the rank of Lt. Colonel.[23]

Post-Military Career, Death

After leaving the military, DeBow returned to the State of Indiana where earned a Master's degree from alma mater Indiana University and another Master’s degree from Butler University.[24] DeBow became an English teacher at Indianapolis, Indiana's Thomas Carr Howe High School where he remained for 10 years. He later became an associate English lecturer at IUPUI until his death on April 4th, 1986.[25][26]

He was interred at Calvary Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana, Marion County in Sec-C-35, Lot-245, Sp-1.[27]

See also

References

  1. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Charles Henry DeBow, Jr."
  2. ^ "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Roster". CAF Rise Above. CAF Rise Above. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  3. ^ Indiana University-Bloomington Libraries. "Charles DeBow: an Original Tuskegee Pilot." Indiana University Archives. November 7th, 2016. https://libraries.indiana.edu/charles-debow-original-tuskegee-pilot
  4. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Charles Henry DeBow, Jr."
  5. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Charles Henry DeBow, Jr."
  6. ^ Edwards -Moore Family Geneology. "Charles Henry DeBow". https://edwards-moore-family.net/testbrown/getperson.php?personID=I1082&tree=0001
  7. ^ Edwards -Moore Family Geneology. "Charles Henry DeBow". https://edwards-moore-family.net/testbrown/getperson.php?personID=I1082&tree=0001
  8. ^ Indiana University-Bloomington Libraries. "Charles DeBow: an Original Tuskegee Pilot." Indiana University Archives. November 7th, 2016. https://libraries.indiana.edu/charles-debow-original-tuskegee-pilot
  9. ^ Indiana University-Bloomington Libraries. "Charles DeBow: an Original Tuskegee Pilot." Indiana University Archives. November 7th, 2016. https://libraries.indiana.edu/charles-debow-original-tuskegee-pilot
  10. ^ Indiana University-Bloomington Libraries. "Charles DeBow: an Original Tuskegee Pilot." Indiana University Archives. November 7th, 2016. https://libraries.indiana.edu/charles-debow-original-tuskegee-pilot
  11. ^ Find a Grave. "LTC Charles Henry DeBow Jr." https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/126970463/charles-henry-debow
  12. ^ Find a Grave. "Aurelia Jane Priscilla Stuart DeBow." https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/178625211/aurelia-jane_priscilla-debow
  13. ^ Find a Grave. "Aurelia Jane Priscilla Stuart DeBow." https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/178625211/aurelia-jane_priscilla-debow
  14. ^ Edwards -Moore Family Geneology. https://edwards-moore-family.net/testbrown/showmedia.php?mediaID=4866&medialinkID=5236
  15. ^ National Black Chamber of Commerce. "NBCC CoFounder Honors Veterans and Remembers Her Father as one of the original Tuskegee Airmen pilots in Alabama." https://www.nationalbcc.org/news/latest-news/2729-nbcc-cofounder-honors-veterans-and-remembers-her-father-as-one-of-the-original-tuskegee-airmen-pilots-in-alabama
  16. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Charles Henry DeBow, Jr."
  17. ^ "Air Force Historical Support Division > Home" (PDF). Retrieved 7 February 2017
  18. ^ "TUSKEGEE AIRMEN CHRONOLOGY." DANIEL L. HAULMAN. ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY BRANCH. AIR FORCE HISTORICAL RESEARCH AGENCY. MAXWELL AFB, AL 36112-6424. 14 November 2011. https://www.tuskegee.edu/Content/Uploads/Tuskegee/files/TUSKEGEE_AIRMEN_CHRONOLOGY12.2011.pdf
  19. ^ Provided an oral history of his experience with the Tuskegee Airmen: The William H. (Bill) Slade Story... 1st class (42-c) flight trainee Tuskegee Institute, 1941. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=911nbfmjH74
  20. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Charles Henry DeBow, Jr."
  21. ^ Indiana University-Bloomington Libraries. "Charles DeBow: an Original Tuskegee Pilot." Indiana University Archives. November 7th, 2016. https://libraries.indiana.edu/charles-debow-original-tuskegee-pilot
  22. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Charles Henry DeBow, Jr."
  23. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Charles Henry DeBow, Jr."
  24. ^ Indiana University-Bloomington Libraries. "Charles DeBow: an Original Tuskegee Pilot." Indiana University Archives. November 7th, 2016. https://libraries.indiana.edu/charles-debow-original-tuskegee-pilot
  25. ^ Indiana University-Bloomington Libraries. "Charles DeBow: an Original Tuskegee Pilot." Indiana University Archives. November 7th, 2016. https://libraries.indiana.edu/charles-debow-original-tuskegee-pilot
  26. ^ Find a Grave. "LTC Charles Henry DeBow Jr." https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/126970463/charles-henry-debow
  27. ^ Find a Grave. "LTC Charles Henry DeBow Jr." https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/126970463/charles-henry-debow
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