George L. Knox II: Difference between revisions

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Knox II was also the grandson of Aurallia S Harvey Knox (October 1841 – 1910) and his namesake, George Levi Knox I (16 September 16, 1841 – August 24. 1927), [[Indianapolis]]' wealthiest African-American man during the late 1800s/early 1900s.<ref>The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis, "George L. Knox: African American publisher and businessman." https://comet.soic.iupui.edu/deoi/george-l-knox/</ref> A formerly enslaved [[African American]], Knox I was a serial "whites-only" upscale barber shop/tonsorial parlor entrepreneur and one of [[Booker T. Washington]]'s most ardent ideological supporters and defenders.<ref>Newberry, A., & Gatewood, W. (1980). The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, 78(3), 287-289. Retrieved July 20, 2021, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/23378778</ref> In 1892, Knox purchased the [[Indianapolis Freeman]], the first illustrated black newspaper in the United States considered by many as the "[[Harper's Weekly]] of the Colored Race."<ref name="weeklyview.net">The Weekly View. "The Ghost of Old George Knox." Al Hunter. January 21, 2021. http://weeklyview.net/2021/01/21/the-ghost-of-old-george-knox/</ref> Hurt by inflation following World War I and competition from the more locally focused Indianapolis Recorder, the paper ceased publication in 1926.<ref>Ratzlaff, Aleen J. (2009). "Illustrated African American Journalism: Political Cartooning in the Indianapolis Freeman". In Sachsman, David B. (ed.). Seeking a voice: images of race and gender in the 19th century press. S. Kittrell Rushing, Roy Morris, Jr. West Lafayette: Purdue UP. pp. 131–140. ISBN 9781557535054.</ref> In 1895, Knox I authored the autobiographical "Life as I Remember It: As a Slave and a Freeman in 1895. He also owned Negro League Baseball's [[Indianapolis ABCs]].<ref name="George Levi Knox 2005">The HistoryMakers® Video Oral History Interview with George Levi Knox, III. March 29, 2005.</ref> Indiana folklore alleges that since Knox I's passing in 1927, numerous individuals have witnessed Know I's grey haired, mustached ghost walking south on Indiana State Road 9 towards his old home near the center of Indianapolis' African American community.<ref name="weeklyview.net"/>
Knox II was also the grandson of Aurallia S Harvey Knox (October 1841 – 1910) and his namesake, George Levi Knox I (16 September 16, 1841 – August 24. 1927), [[Indianapolis]]' wealthiest African-American man during the late 1800s/early 1900s.<ref>The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis, "George L. Knox: African American publisher and businessman." https://comet.soic.iupui.edu/deoi/george-l-knox/</ref> A formerly enslaved [[African American]], Knox I was a serial "whites-only" upscale barber shop/tonsorial parlor entrepreneur and one of [[Booker T. Washington]]'s most ardent ideological supporters and defenders.<ref>Newberry, A., & Gatewood, W. (1980). The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, 78(3), 287-289. Retrieved July 20, 2021, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/23378778</ref> In 1892, Knox purchased the [[Indianapolis Freeman]], the first illustrated black newspaper in the United States considered by many as the "[[Harper's Weekly]] of the Colored Race."<ref name="weeklyview.net">The Weekly View. "The Ghost of Old George Knox." Al Hunter. January 21, 2021. http://weeklyview.net/2021/01/21/the-ghost-of-old-george-knox/</ref> Hurt by inflation following World War I and competition from the more locally focused Indianapolis Recorder, the paper ceased publication in 1926.<ref>Ratzlaff, Aleen J. (2009). "Illustrated African American Journalism: Political Cartooning in the Indianapolis Freeman". In Sachsman, David B. (ed.). Seeking a voice: images of race and gender in the 19th century press. S. Kittrell Rushing, Roy Morris, Jr. West Lafayette: Purdue UP. pp. 131–140. ISBN 9781557535054.</ref> In 1895, Knox I authored the autobiographical "Life as I Remember It: As a Slave and a Freeman in 1895. He also owned Negro League Baseball's [[Indianapolis ABCs]].<ref name="George Levi Knox 2005">The HistoryMakers® Video Oral History Interview with George Levi Knox, III. March 29, 2005.</ref> Indiana folklore alleges that since Knox I's passing in 1927, numerous individuals have witnessed Know I's grey haired, mustached ghost walking south on Indiana State Road 9 towards his old home near the center of Indianapolis' African American community.<ref name="weeklyview.net"/>


Knox II was a graduate of [[Fisk University]].<ref>Click. "All-Negro Fighter Squadron Ready for Action: They're Smart, Tough and Rarin' to Go. Meet the Flying Black Panthers." Volume 6, Number 9 http://www.oldmagazinearticles.com/draw_pdf.php?filename=Tuskegee_Fighter_Pilots.pdf</ref>
Knox II was a graduate of [[Fisk University]].<ref>Click. "All-Negro Fighter Squadron Ready for Action: They're Smart, Tough and Rarin' to Go. Meet the Flying Black Panthers." Volume 6, Number 9 http://www.oldmagazinearticles.com/draw_pdf.php?filename=Tuskegee_Fighter_Pilots.pdf</ref> On January 27, 1937. Knox II was initiated as a fraternity borther of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.'s Nu Chapter at [[Fisk University]].<ref> Watch the Yard. "Fly Nupes: Photos Of The Handsome And Daring Men Of Kappa Alpha Psi Who Served As Tuskegee Airmen." https://www.watchtheyard.com/kappas/tuskegee-airmen/14/ </ref>


In 1947, Knox II married [[Medford, Massachusetts]] native, Yvonne Marguerite Wright Knox (August 27, 1919- August 18, 2002). They were the parents of four children including George Levi Knox, III (1943 - ) who served as a Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Phillip Morris Companies, Inc.<ref name="George Levi Knox 2005"/>
In 1947, Knox II married [[Medford, Massachusetts]] native, Yvonne Marguerite Wright Knox (August 27, 1919- August 18, 2002). They were the parents of four children including George Levi Knox, III (1943 - ) who served as a Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Phillip Morris Companies, Inc.<ref name="George Levi Knox 2005"/>

Revision as of 23:50, 20 July 2021

George L. Knox II
Born
George Levi Knox II

December 23, 1916
Indianapolis, Indiana, US
DiedNovember 4, 1964(1964-11-04) (aged 47)
Tuskegee, Alabama, Macon County, Alabama, US
Resting placeCrown Hill Cemetery, Indianapolis, Indiana, Marion County, Indiana
Alma materFisk University
Occupations
  • Military officer
  • fighter pilot
Years active1941-1964

George Levi Knox II ("Skipper" Knox)[1] (December 23, 1916 - November 4, 1964) was a U.S. Army Air Force/U.S. Air Force officer, combat fighter pilot and Adjutant with the all-African American 332nd Fighter Group's 100th Fighter Squadron, best known as the famed Tuskegee Airmen, "Red Tails," or “Schwartze Vogelmenschen” ("Black Birdmen") among enemy German pilots[2]

One of the 1,007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots, Knox II was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen's third-ever aviation cadet class, and one of the first twelve African Americans to become combat fighter pilots.[3] Knox II was also the second Indiana native and the second of fourteen individuals with an Indianapolis address of record to graduate from the Tuskegee Advanced Flying School (TAFS).[4]

Early life

Knox II was born on December 3, 1916, in Indianapolis, Indiana, Marion County, Indiana. He was the son of Elwood C. Knox (1870–1948), a newspaper owner, and Susan Belle Craig Knox (1881–1981).

Knox II was also the grandson of Aurallia S Harvey Knox (October 1841 – 1910) and his namesake, George Levi Knox I (16 September 16, 1841 – August 24. 1927), Indianapolis' wealthiest African-American man during the late 1800s/early 1900s.[5] A formerly enslaved African American, Knox I was a serial "whites-only" upscale barber shop/tonsorial parlor entrepreneur and one of Booker T. Washington's most ardent ideological supporters and defenders.[6] In 1892, Knox purchased the Indianapolis Freeman, the first illustrated black newspaper in the United States considered by many as the "Harper's Weekly of the Colored Race."[7] Hurt by inflation following World War I and competition from the more locally focused Indianapolis Recorder, the paper ceased publication in 1926.[8] In 1895, Knox I authored the autobiographical "Life as I Remember It: As a Slave and a Freeman in 1895. He also owned Negro League Baseball's Indianapolis ABCs.[9] Indiana folklore alleges that since Knox I's passing in 1927, numerous individuals have witnessed Know I's grey haired, mustached ghost walking south on Indiana State Road 9 towards his old home near the center of Indianapolis' African American community.[7]

Knox II was a graduate of Fisk University.[10] On January 27, 1937. Knox II was initiated as a fraternity borther of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.'s Nu Chapter at Fisk University.[11]

In 1947, Knox II married Medford, Massachusetts native, Yvonne Marguerite Wright Knox (August 27, 1919- August 18, 2002). They were the parents of four children including George Levi Knox, III (1943 - ) who served as a Vice President of Corporate Affairs for Phillip Morris Companies, Inc.[9]

Military Service

In October 1941, Knox II entered the U.S. Army Air Corps at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, Indiana.[9] On May 20, 1942, Knox II graduated from Tuskegee Advance Flying School (TAFS)'s third-ever Single Engine Section Class SE-42-E.[12] He was one of the first twelve African American combat fighter pilots.[3] Knox II was also the second Indiana native and the second of fourteen individuals with an Indianapolis address of record to graduate from the Tuskegee Advance Flying School (TAFS).[4] After receiving his wings and commission as a 2nd Lieutenant, the U.S. Army Air Corps assigned Knox II to the 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Fighter Squadron.

On April 5, 1943, then-1st Lieutenant Knox II became the 100th Fighter Squadron's Commanding Officer, replacing then-1st Lieutenant Mac Ross who became the 332nd Fighter Group's Group Operations Officer.[13] Lieutenant Elwood Driver served as Knox II's Operations Officer.[13] On June 29, 1943, then-1st Lieutenant Elwood Driver became the 100th Fighter Squadron's Commanding Officer, replacing then-1st Lieutenant Knox II.[13]

Knox II presided over the 1944 Freeman Field Mutiny court martial. Though Benjamin O. Davis Jr. would have ordinarily presided over the court-martial board as its president and most senior officer, he stepped down as board president of the board. As the 2nd most senior Captain, Knox II reluctantly served as board president for the proceedings.[9]

After World War II, Knox II headed the AFROTC program at Tuskegee Institute. Knox II retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Lt. Colonel.[9]

Death

Knox II passed away on November 4, 1964, in Tuskegee, Alabama, Macon County, Alabama. He was interred at Crown Hill Cemetery, Plot Sec: 41, Lot: 273 in Indianapolis, Indiana, Marion County, Indiana.

See also

References

  1. ^ Click. "All-Negro Fighter Squadron Ready for Action: They're Smart, Tough and Rarin' to Go. Meet the Flying Black Panthers." Volume 6, Number 9http://www.oldmagazinearticles.com/draw_pdf.php?filename=Tuskegee_Fighter_Pilots.pdf
  2. ^ CAF Rise Above. "Herbert Vanallen Clark." https://cafriseabove.org/robert-ashby/
  3. ^ a b "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Roster". CAF Rise Above. CAF Rise Above. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  4. ^ a b Indianapolis Chapter - Tuskegee Airmen Inc. https://www.indytuskegee.org/elementor-639/
  5. ^ The Encyclopedia of Indianapolis, "George L. Knox: African American publisher and businessman." https://comet.soic.iupui.edu/deoi/george-l-knox/
  6. ^ Newberry, A., & Gatewood, W. (1980). The Register of the Kentucky Historical Society, 78(3), 287-289. Retrieved July 20, 2021, from http://www.jstor.org/stable/23378778
  7. ^ a b The Weekly View. "The Ghost of Old George Knox." Al Hunter. January 21, 2021. http://weeklyview.net/2021/01/21/the-ghost-of-old-george-knox/
  8. ^ Ratzlaff, Aleen J. (2009). "Illustrated African American Journalism: Political Cartooning in the Indianapolis Freeman". In Sachsman, David B. (ed.). Seeking a voice: images of race and gender in the 19th century press. S. Kittrell Rushing, Roy Morris, Jr. West Lafayette: Purdue UP. pp. 131–140. ISBN 9781557535054.
  9. ^ a b c d e The HistoryMakers® Video Oral History Interview with George Levi Knox, III. March 29, 2005.
  10. ^ Click. "All-Negro Fighter Squadron Ready for Action: They're Smart, Tough and Rarin' to Go. Meet the Flying Black Panthers." Volume 6, Number 9 http://www.oldmagazinearticles.com/draw_pdf.php?filename=Tuskegee_Fighter_Pilots.pdf
  11. ^ Watch the Yard. "Fly Nupes: Photos Of The Handsome And Daring Men Of Kappa Alpha Psi Who Served As Tuskegee Airmen." https://www.watchtheyard.com/kappas/tuskegee-airmen/14/
  12. ^ Caf Rise Above. "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Roster." https://cafriseabove.org/the-tuskegee-airmen/tuskegee-airmen-pilot-roster/ . This data derives from Caf Rise Above's research project compiling data from Tuskegee Airmen historians including the Air Force Historical Research Agency.
  13. ^ a b c David R. Jones, Leroy P. Gross, and Roslyn March Banks Robinson, United States Army Aeromedical Support to African American Fliers, 1941-1949: The Tuskegee Flight Surgeons. (San Antonio: USAF School of Aerospace Medicine, 2007), p. 77.
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