Charles DeBow: Difference between revisions

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In July 1941, DeBow entered aviation cadet training with the [[Tuskegee Airmen]]'s first class of aviation cadets, Class 42-C-SE.<ref> Caf Rise Above. [https://cafriseabove.org/charles-henry-debow-jr/ "Charles Henry DeBow, Jr."]</ref> 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).<ref> Caf Rise Above. [https://cafriseabove.org/charles-henry-debow-jr/ "Charles Henry DeBow, Jr."]</ref>
In July 1941, DeBow entered aviation cadet training with the [[Tuskegee Airmen]]'s first class of aviation cadets, Class 42-C-SE.<ref> Caf Rise Above. [https://cafriseabove.org/charles-henry-debow-jr/ "Charles Henry DeBow, Jr."]</ref> 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).<ref> Caf Rise Above. [https://cafriseabove.org/charles-henry-debow-jr/ "Charles Henry DeBow, Jr."]</ref>

DeBow was the first [[Indiana]] native and the first of fourteen individuals with an [[Indianapolis, Indiana]] address of record to graduate from the Tuskegee Advance Flying School (TAFS).<ref> Indianapolis Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen Inc. https://www.indytuskegee.org/elementor-639/ </ref>


==Early Life, Family==
==Early Life, Family==
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DeBow was married to Aurelia Jane Priscilla Stuart DeBow (1926–2017). They had several children. DeBow's son, Captain William DeBow, served as the Commander of the Port Hueneme Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center. Daughter Kay DeBow was a co-founder of the [[National Black Chamber of Commerce]] (NBCC).<ref> 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 </ref>
DeBow was married to Aurelia Jane Priscilla Stuart DeBow (1926–2017). They had several children. DeBow's son, Captain William DeBow, served as the Commander of the Port Hueneme Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center. Daughter Kay DeBow was a co-founder of the [[National Black Chamber of Commerce]] (NBCC).<ref> 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 </ref>

TAFS Roster of Graduates listed DeBow's hometown address as 2043 Boulevard Place, [[Indianapolis Indiana]].<ref> Indianapolis Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen Inc. https://www.indytuskegee.org/elementor-639/ </ref>


==Military Career, Tuskegee Airmen==
==Military Career, Tuskegee Airmen==

Revision as of 16:18, 19 July 2021

Charles DeBow
Born
Charles Henry DeBow, Jr.

Feb 13, 1918
Indianapolis, Indiana, US
DiedApril 4, 1986(1986-04-04) (aged 68)
Indianapolis, Indiana, US
Resting placeCalvary Cemetery[disambiguation needed], Indianapolis, Indiana, Marion County, USA PLOT Sec-C-35 Lot-245 Sp-1
Alma materIndiana University Hampton Institute
Occupations
  • Military officer
  • fighter pilot
Years active1941–1946

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 prodigious, 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]

DeBow was the first Indiana native and the first of fourteen individuals with an Indianapolis, Indiana address of record to graduate from the Tuskegee Advance Flying School (TAFS).[6]

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.[7] DeBow's parents moved from Tennessee to Indianapolis before DeBow was born.[8]

After high school, DeBow enrolled at Indiana University.[9] 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 to enroll in the Civil Pilot training course offered there[10]. After working numerous jobs to save money, Debow dropped out of Hampton University to enlist in the U.S. Army.[11]

DeBow was married to Aurelia Jane Priscilla Stuart DeBow (1926–2017). They had several children. DeBow's son, Captain William DeBow, served as the Commander of the Port Hueneme Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center. Daughter Kay DeBow was a co-founder of the National Black Chamber of Commerce (NBCC).[12]

TAFS Roster of Graduates listed DeBow's hometown address as 2043 Boulevard Place, Indianapolis Indiana.[13]

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. [14]

In addition to Debow, the class included[15][16]

  • 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[17]
  • 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.[18]

During World War II, DeBow served as squadron commander of the 332rd fighter group's 301st Fighter Squadron.[19] He flew 52 combat missions in World War II's European Theater including aerial coverage for D-Day's Operation Overlord.[20]

During a mission, DeBow was injured and lost his flight status. DeBow left the military with the rank of Lt. Colonel.[21]

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.[22] 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.[23]

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. ^ Indianapolis Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen Inc. https://www.indytuskegee.org/elementor-639/
  7. ^ Edwards -Moore Family Geneology. "Charles Henry DeBow". https://edwards-moore-family.net/testbrown/getperson.php?personID=I1082&tree=0001
  8. ^ Edwards -Moore Family Geneology. "Charles Henry DeBow". https://edwards-moore-family.net/testbrown/getperson.php?personID=I1082&tree=0001
  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. ^ 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
  12. ^ 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
  13. ^ Indianapolis Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen Inc. https://www.indytuskegee.org/elementor-639/
  14. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Charles Henry DeBow, Jr."
  15. ^ "Air Force Historical Support Division > Home" (PDF). Retrieved 7 February 2017
  16. ^ "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
  17. ^ 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
  18. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Charles Henry DeBow, Jr."
  19. ^ 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
  20. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Charles Henry DeBow, Jr."
  21. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Charles Henry DeBow, Jr."
  22. ^ 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
  23. ^ 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
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