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==War Department Lawsuit, Military Service, Tuskegee Airmen==
==War Department Lawsuit, Military Service, Tuskegee Airmen==
In 1941, Williams applied to become a pilot cadet with the [[U.S. Army Air Corps]]. On December 13, 1940, the [[U.S. Army Air Corps]] summarily rejected Williams based on his race. In response, the [[NAACP]], Williams, and the similarly situated [[Spann Watson]] filed a federal lawsuit in the [[United States District Court for the District of Columbia]] against the [[U.S. War Department]] to force the government to allow Yancey and other "similarly situated" qualified [[African American]]s to train as [[U.S. Army Air Corps]] pilots.<ref> Yancey Williams Vs. Henry L. Stimson, Civil Action No. 9763, (Suit on behalf of himself and on behalf of other qualified Negroes...for admission to Civilian Pilot Training Program), District Court of the US for the District of Columbia, November 18, 1941. </ref> Their complaint named several government and military officials as defendants: [[U.S. Secretary of War]] [[Henry Stimson]], U.S. Army Chief of Staff Major-General [[George C. Marshall]], U.S. Army Adjutant-General [[E. S. Adams]], Chief of Air Corps Major-General [[Henry H. Arnold]], and commanding general of the Third Corps Area, Major-General [[Walter S. Grant]].
In 1941, Williams applied to become a pilot cadet with the [[U.S. Army Air Corps]]. On December 13, 1940, the [[U.S. Army Air Corps]] summarily rejected Williams based on his race. In response, Williams, the [[NAACP]], and fellow [[Howard University]] mechanical engineering student/private pilot [[Spann Watson]], filed a federal lawsuit in the [[United States District Court for the District of Columbia]] against the [[U.S. War Department]] to force the government to allow Yancey and other "similarly situated" qualified [[African American]]s to train as [[U.S. Army Air Corps]] pilots.<ref> Yancey Williams Vs. Henry L. Stimson, Civil Action No. 9763, (Suit on behalf of himself and on behalf of other qualified Negroes...for admission to Civilian Pilot Training Program), District Court of the US for the District of Columbia, November 18, 1941. </ref> Their complaint named several government and military officials as defendants: [[U.S. Secretary of War]] [[Henry Stimson]], U.S. Army Chief of Staff Major-General [[George C. Marshall]], U.S. Army Adjutant-General [[E. S. Adams]], Chief of Air Corps Major-General [[Henry H. Arnold]], and commanding general of the Third Corps Area, Major-General [[Walter S. Grant]].


According to his complaint, Williams alleged that he had achieved or exceeded the [[U.S. Army Air Corps]]'s entry and appeals requirements:
According to his complaint, Williams alleged that he had achieved or exceeded the [[U.S. Army Air Corps]]'s entry and appeals requirements:
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On December 13, 1940, Williams received his final race-based denial from [[U.S. War Department]].<ref> Indianapolis Recorder. 25 January 1941. https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=INR19410125-01.1.1&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN------- </ref>
On December 13, 1940, Williams received his final race-based denial from [[U.S. War Department]].<ref> Indianapolis Recorder. 25 January 1941. https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=INR19410125-01.1.1&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN------- </ref>


Despite initial pushback from the NAACP and other African American advocacy groups<ref> Including the [[National Airmen’s Association]]. </ref> that desired total racial integration in the U.S. military, the U.S. War Department, under additional pressure from U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt's executive order, leveraged Plessey vs Ferguson's "separate but equal doctrine, creating the 99th Pursuit Squadron (later the 99th Fighter Squadron). Headquartered at the Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama, the 99th Pursuit Squadron would serve as the primary training and deployment nexus for African American pilots, ground crew and support operations.<ref> NORTH COAST CHAPTER OF THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN CLEVELAND. "HISTORY OF THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN: Legacy of the Red Tail." https://www.ncctacleveland.org/history/
Leveraging tactics inspired by the seminal 1898 U.S. Supreme Court case [[Plessy v. Ferguson]]'s "separate but equal doctrine, the [[U.S. War Department]] avoided the lawsuit, immediately creating the racially separate and allegedly equal [[99th Pursuit Squadron]] (later the [[99th Fighter Squadron]]) at [[Tuskegee Institute]]. This unit would be solely responsible for the training and possible deployment of all African American pilots, ground crew and support operations.<ref> NORTH COAST CHAPTER OF THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN CLEVELAND. "HISTORY OF THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN: Legacy of the Red Tail." https://www.ncctacleveland.org/history/ </ref><ref> Pre-Tuskegee. http://www.spiritof45.org/Tuskegee%20Exhibit.pdf </ref><ref> Connecticut Explored. "Tuskegee Airman: “I Wanted to Fly.” AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY, WAR STORIES. Eileen Hurst. Connecticut Explored, Fall 2011. https://www.ctexplored.org/tuskegee-airman-i-wanted-to-fly/ </ref><ref> Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site </ref>
Pre-Tuskegee. http://www.spiritof45.org/Tuskegee%20Exhibit.pdf </ref><ref> Connecticut Explored. "Tuskegee Airman: “I Wanted to Fly.” AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY, WAR STORIES. Eileen Hurst. Connecticut Explored, Fall 2011. https://www.ctexplored.org/tuskegee-airman-i-wanted-to-fly/ </ref><ref> Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site </ref><


Initially, the [[NAACP]], the African American press and other African American advocacy groups pushed back on an all-African American pilot corps; they generally desired total racial integration in the U.S. military. Nonetheless, they mostly acquiesce in lieu of no opportunities for inspiring African American pilots and support crew.
⚫
U.S. Army Air Corps admitted Williams, very likely in a non-pilot role as a 2nd Lieutenant.<ref> Freedom’s Voice: The Monthly Newsletter of the Military History Center. Volume 6, Number 8 August 2018. http://www.okmhc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/August-18.pdf </ref> However, Williams would be a 1st Lieutenant when he finally received his wings as a member of Tuskegee Air Field's Single Engine Section Cadet Class SE-44-J on December 28, 1944.<ref> 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. </ref>


⚫
At some point, the [[U.S. Army Air Corps]] admitted Williams, very likely in a non-pilot role as a 2nd Lieutenant.<ref> Freedom’s Voice: The Monthly Newsletter of the Military History Center. Volume 6, Number 8 August 2018. http://www.okmhc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/August-18.pdf </ref> However, Williams would be a 1st Lieutenant when he finally received his wings as a member of Tuskegee Air Field's Single Engine Section Cadet Class SE-44-J on December 28, 1944.<ref> 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. </ref>
⚫
Little is known of William's military career between 1944 and 1953. Nonetheless, documents show that Williams may have participated in an air surveillance project created by President [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] whose presidential term began January 1953, 10 months before Williams' untimely death.<ref> CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN, Public Law 109-213, 109th Congress. "An Act - To award a congressional gold medal on behalf of the Tuskegee Airmen, collectively, in recognition of their unique military record, which inspired revolutionary reform in the Armed Forces. <<NOTE: Apr. 11, 2006 - [H.R. 1259]." </ref> At the time of his passing, Williams held the rank of [[Major ]]in the [[U.S. Air Force]]. He was serving as a squadron Material Officer in the [[85th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron]] at [[Scott AFB]] in [[Illinois]].<ref> Flight. "Today in Aviation History." http://flight.org/aviation-history/october-22 </ref>

The [[US Army Air Corps]] also admitted [[Spann Watson]] to the Tuskegee Flight Cadet Program in November 1941. On July 3, 1942, Watson graduated as a member of the Single Engine Section Cadet Class SE-42-F, receiving his wings and commission as a [[2nd Lieutenant]].<ref> 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. </ref>

⚫
Little is known of Williams' military career between 1941 and 1944 and 1944 to 1953. Nonetheless, documents show that Williams may have participated in an air surveillance project created by President [[Dwight D. Eisenhower]] whose presidential term began January 1953, 10 months before Williams' untimely death in 1953.<ref> CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN, Public Law 109-213, 109th Congress. "An Act - To award a congressional gold medal on behalf of the Tuskegee Airmen, collectively, in recognition of their unique military record, which inspired revolutionary reform in the Armed Forces. <<NOTE: Apr. 11, 2006 - [H.R. 1259]." </ref> At the time of his passing, Williams held the rank of [[Major ]]in the [[U.S. Air Force]]. He was serving as a squadron Material Officer in the [[85th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron]] at [[Scott AFB]] in [[Illinois]].<ref> Flight. "Today in Aviation History." http://flight.org/aviation-history/october-22 </ref>


==Death==
==Death==

Revision as of 12:46, 28 July 2021

Yancey Williams (alternate spelling: "Yancy Williams") (February 1, 1916 - October 22, 1953) was a U.S. Army Air Force/U.S. Air Force officer and pilot with the 85th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron and the 332nd Fighter Group, best known as the Tuskegee Airmen or "Red Tails". He was one of 1,007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots.[1][2]

Williams is notable for his landmark 1941 federal lawsuit against the U.S. War Department for denying the civilian pilot and Howard University student from the U.S. Army Air Corps's pilot cadet program based on Williams' race.[3] Leveraging tactics inspired by the seminal 1898 U.S. Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson's "separate but equal doctrine, the U.S. War Department avoided the lawsuit, immediately creating the racially separate and allegedly equal 99th Pursuit Squadron (later the 99th Fighter Squadron) at Tuskegee Institute. This unit would be solely responsible for the training and possible deployment of all African American pilots, ground crew and support operations.[4][5][6][7]

Early Life, Education

Williams was born in Louisiana on February 1, 1916.[8] He attended Tulsa's Booker T. Washington High School, graduating in 1932. Williams attended Howard University, majoring in engineering.

In September 1938, Tuskegee Airmen training impresario C. Alfred "Chief" Anderson started Howard University's Civilian Pilot Training. Williams was one of Anderson's student pilots at Howard.[9] [10] In 1940, In 1940, Tuskegee Institute recruited Anderson as its Chief Civilian Flight Instructor for the newly-minted program for African American pilots.[11]

War Department Lawsuit, Military Service, Tuskegee Airmen

In 1941, Williams applied to become a pilot cadet with the U.S. Army Air Corps. On December 13, 1940, the U.S. Army Air Corps summarily rejected Williams based on his race. In response, Williams, the NAACP, and fellow Howard University mechanical engineering student/private pilot Spann Watson, filed a federal lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia against the U.S. War Department to force the government to allow Yancey and other "similarly situated" qualified African Americans to train as U.S. Army Air Corps pilots.[12] Their complaint named several government and military officials as defendants: U.S. Secretary of War Henry Stimson, U.S. Army Chief of Staff Major-General George C. Marshall, U.S. Army Adjutant-General E. S. Adams, Chief of Air Corps Major-General Henry H. Arnold, and commanding general of the Third Corps Area, Major-General Walter S. Grant.

According to his complaint, Williams alleged that he had achieved or exceeded the U.S. Army Air Corps's entry and appeals requirements:

  • Completed at least two years of college;
  • Completed the Civil Aeronautics Authority's primary and secondary pilot training;
  • Earned a private pilot’s license;
  • Passed an official military physicians' physical examination;
  • Completed all application requisites for cadet appointment;
  • Completed and sent off, on November 20, 1940, an official application, references and other required records to the Third Corps Area's commanding officer;
  • Filed an appeal of his initial application denial to the Adjutant-General and the U.S. Secretary of War.

On December 13, 1940, Williams received his final race-based denial from U.S. War Department.[13]

Leveraging tactics inspired by the seminal 1898 U.S. Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson's "separate but equal doctrine, the U.S. War Department avoided the lawsuit, immediately creating the racially separate and allegedly equal 99th Pursuit Squadron (later the 99th Fighter Squadron) at Tuskegee Institute. This unit would be solely responsible for the training and possible deployment of all African American pilots, ground crew and support operations.[14][15][16][17]

Initially, the NAACP, the African American press and other African American advocacy groups pushed back on an all-African American pilot corps; they generally desired total racial integration in the U.S. military. Nonetheless, they mostly acquiesce in lieu of no opportunities for inspiring African American pilots and support crew.

At some point, the U.S. Army Air Corps admitted Williams, very likely in a non-pilot role as a 2nd Lieutenant.[18] However, Williams would be a 1st Lieutenant when he finally received his wings as a member of Tuskegee Air Field's Single Engine Section Cadet Class SE-44-J on December 28, 1944.[19]

The US Army Air Corps also admitted Spann Watson to the Tuskegee Flight Cadet Program in November 1941. On July 3, 1942, Watson graduated as a member of the Single Engine Section Cadet Class SE-42-F, receiving his wings and commission as a 2nd Lieutenant.[20]

Little is known of Williams' military career between 1941 and 1944 and 1944 to 1953. Nonetheless, documents show that Williams may have participated in an air surveillance project created by President Dwight D. Eisenhower whose presidential term began January 1953, 10 months before Williams' untimely death in 1953.[21] At the time of his passing, Williams held the rank of Major in the U.S. Air Force. He was serving as a squadron Material Officer in the 85th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron at Scott AFB in Illinois.[22]

Death

On October 22, 1953, Williams, stationed at Scott AFB in Illinois, was killed when his North American F-86D Sabre crashed after takeoff from Runway 14 in F-86D-20-NA, 51-3029.[23] When Williams attempted a northwest turn, he overshot the approach to Runway 36 and tried to land in a nearby cornfield west of Scott AFB. Though Williams almost crash landed successfully, his aircraft struck an electric transformer pole, causing the aircraft to explode on impact. An investigation found that the aircraft's hydraulic elevator control locked up as a result of a misconnection between hydraulic lines.[24] This was the 85th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron's first fatal North American F-86D Sabre loss.[25]

Williams was 37 years old. He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery, Sec: 8, Site: 5428-A.[26]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Roster". CAF Rise Above. CAF Rise Above. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  2. ^ "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Roster". CAF Rise Above. CAF Rise Above. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  3. ^ Yancey Williams Vs. Henry L. Stimson, Civil Action No. 9763, (Suit on behalf of himself and on behalf of other qualified Negroes...for admission to Civilian Pilot Training Program), District Court of the US for the District of Columbia, November 18, 1941.
  4. ^ NORTH COAST CHAPTER OF THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN CLEVELAND. "HISTORY OF THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN: Legacy of the Red Tail." https://www.ncctacleveland.org/history/
  5. ^ Pre-Tuskegee. http://www.spiritof45.org/Tuskegee%20Exhibit.pdf
  6. ^ Connecticut Explored. "Tuskegee Airman: “I Wanted to Fly.” AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY, WAR STORIES. Eileen Hurst. Connecticut Explored, Fall 2011. https://www.ctexplored.org/tuskegee-airman-i-wanted-to-fly/
  7. ^ Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site
  8. ^ North Tulsa Magazine. "great discoveries.." https://northtulsamagazine.com/education
  9. ^ The National Aviation Hall of Fame "Anderson, Charles Alfred “Chief”: Father of African American Aviation/Pilot - Enshrined 2013 - 1907-1996." https://www.nationalaviation.org/our-enshrinees/anderson-charles-alfred/
  10. ^ Lest We Forget: African American Military History by Historian, Author and Veteran Bennie McRae Jr.. "C. Alfred "Chief" Anderson: The Most Famous Black Aviator in America. John Sherrer. Originally published in the November, 1976 edition of Pride Magazine, Dayton, Ohio.
  11. ^ The National Aviation Hall of Fame "Anderson, Charles Alfred “Chief”: Father of African American Aviation/Pilot - Enshrined 2013 - 1907-1996." https://www.nationalaviation.org/our-enshrinees/anderson-charles-alfred/
  12. ^ Yancey Williams Vs. Henry L. Stimson, Civil Action No. 9763, (Suit on behalf of himself and on behalf of other qualified Negroes...for admission to Civilian Pilot Training Program), District Court of the US for the District of Columbia, November 18, 1941.
  13. ^ Indianapolis Recorder. 25 January 1941. https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=d&d=INR19410125-01.1.1&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN-------
  14. ^ NORTH COAST CHAPTER OF THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN CLEVELAND. "HISTORY OF THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN: Legacy of the Red Tail." https://www.ncctacleveland.org/history/
  15. ^ Pre-Tuskegee. http://www.spiritof45.org/Tuskegee%20Exhibit.pdf
  16. ^ Connecticut Explored. "Tuskegee Airman: “I Wanted to Fly.” AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY, WAR STORIES. Eileen Hurst. Connecticut Explored, Fall 2011. https://www.ctexplored.org/tuskegee-airman-i-wanted-to-fly/
  17. ^ Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site
  18. ^ Freedom’s Voice: The Monthly Newsletter of the Military History Center. Volume 6, Number 8 August 2018. http://www.okmhc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/August-18.pdf
  19. ^ 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.
  20. ^ 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.
  21. ^ CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN, Public Law 109-213, 109th Congress. "An Act - To award a congressional gold medal on behalf of the Tuskegee Airmen, collectively, in recognition of their unique military record, which inspired revolutionary reform in the Armed Forces. <<NOTE: Apr. 11, 2006 - [H.R. 1259]."
  22. ^ Flight. "Today in Aviation History." http://flight.org/aviation-history/october-22
  23. ^ Sam Gowan (Historian). "The Myth of the Tuskegee Airmen." https://www.sammcgowan.com/332nd.html
  24. ^ Flight. "Today in Aviation History." http://flight.org/aviation-history/october-22
  25. ^ Flight. "Today in Aviation History." http://flight.org/aviation-history/october-22
  26. ^ Freedom’s Voice: The Monthly Newsletter of the Military History Center. Volume 6, Number 8 August 2018. http://www.okmhc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/August-18.pdf
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