Wilson V. Eagleson: Difference between revisions
←Created page with '{{Infobox person | name = Wilson V. Eagleson II | birth_name = Wilson Vashon “Swampy” Eagleson II | birth_date = February 1, 1920 | birth_place = Bloomington, Indiana, US | death_date = {{death date and age|2006|04|16|1920|02|01}} | death_place = Goldsboro, North Carolina,, US | resting_place = [Goldsboro, North Carolina]], Wayne County, North Carolina, USA | alma_mater = W...' |
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Revision as of 21:32, 2 August 2021
Wilson V. Eagleson II | |
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Born | Wilson Vashon “Swampy” Eagleson II February 1, 1920 |
Died | April 16, 2006 | (aged 86)
Resting place | [Goldsboro, North Carolina]], Wayne County, North Carolina, USA |
Alma mater | West Virginia State College (now West Virginia State University), Indiana University |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1942–1972 |
Wilson Vashon “Swampy” Eagleson II (February 1, 1920 - April 16, 2006) was a prolific U.S. Army Air Force officer and combat fighter pilot with the prodigious 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Fighter Squadron, best known as the Tuskegee Airmen, "Red Tails," or “Schwartze Vogelmenschen” ("Black Birdmen") among enemy German pilots. One of 1,007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots, Eagleson II was one of the Tuskegee Airmen's most prolific pilots, credited with two confirmed enemy German aerial kills and two probable aerial kills..[1][2] [3]
He was also a member of the prominent Eagleson Family, one of Indiana and the North Carolina Central University's most historic African American families and public figures. Eagleson's granduncle, Preston Eagleson, was Indiana University's first African American intercollegiate athlete.[4] In 1916, Eagleson II's father, Wilson Vashon Eagleson Sr., became one of the first African Americans in Indiana University's Reserve Officer Training Corps program, becoming one of the very first African American U.S. Army officer.[5] Eagleson Sr, North Carolina Central University's first baseball, football, and basketball head coach, is also the namesake of North Carolina Central University's mascot, The Eagles.[6] Eagleson II's mother, Frances Marshall Eagleson, was Indiana University at Bloomington, Indiana's first African American woman graduate.[7]
Early 1950s, Eagleson II saved the crew of a cargo plane when anti-aircraft flak struck it, seriously wounding the pilots. Assuming the controls, Eagleson II safely flew the plane to the Philippines. The [[[U.S. Air Force]] awarded him the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroics.[8]
Early Life, Family, Indiana's Prominent Eagleton Family
Eagleson II was born on February 1, 1920 in Bloomington, Indiana.[9] He was a scion of the Eagleson Family, one of Indiana's most historic African American families during the early 20th century. His father, Wilson Vashon Eagleson Sr., in 1916, became one of the first African Americans in Indiana University's Reserve Officer Training Corps program. [10] Eagleson Sr. also became one of the U.S. Army's first African American officers.[11] Eagleson II's mother, Frances Marshall Eagleson, was Indiana University at Bloomington, Indiana's first African American woman graduate.[12] Indiana University at Bloomington, Indiana named its Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center in honor of Francis Marshall Eagleson and Marcellus Neal, Indiana University at Bloomington, Indiana's first African American graduate.[13] In 1979, North Carolina Central University named a dorm in honor of its third most important individual in school history.[14]
Eagleson's granduncle, Preston Eagleson, was the first African American intercollegiate athlete.[15]
Raised in Bloomington, Indiana for most of his childhood, Eagleson II and his sister lived with his maternal grandmother; Bloomington's moderate weather was far more beneficial to Eagleson II's childhood rheumatic fever symptoms than Durham, North Carolina.[16] His father, Eagleson Sr., became North Carolina Central University's first baseball, football, and basketball head coach.[17] North Carolina Central University named its mascot, The Eagles, in honor of Eagleson Sr.[18] Eagleson II's mother, Francis, became North Carolina Central University's university Registrar, serving in that role for 48 years.[19]
In 1933, Eagleson Sr., while working on his PhD at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, was killed in a car accident. In 1934, Eagleson II moved from Bloomington, Indiana to Durham, North Carolina to live with his grieving mother. He attended high school in Henderson, North Carolina.[20]
After graduating from high school, Eagleson II attended West Virginia State College (now West Virginia State University).[21]
On May 1, 1943, Eagleson II married Geraldine R. Thornton. They had four children: Wilson V. Eagleson III, Gerald B. Eagleson, Diedra A. Coney, and Helen F. Eagleson. They also had 15 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and 4 great-great-grandchildren. They divorced in
Pilot's Training, Military Career, Tuskegee Airmen
In 1938, Eagleson II acquired his civilian pilot's license at West Virginia State College.[22] After being denied entry into the U.S. Ar,y Air Corps as a pilot, Eagleson II moved back to Bloomington where he attended Indiana University for a year.[23]
On January 19, 1942, Eagleson II enlisted in the U.S. Army as a member of its infantry.[24] After two tours at Fort Walters, Texas as a trainee and a cadre, respectively, U.S. Army transfereed Eagleson II to Fort Benning, Georgia for Officer Training School. During officer training in September 1942, Eagleson II was sent to flight school at Tuskegee Army Air Field. On April 29, 1943, Eagleson II graduated as a member of the Single Engine Section Cadet Class SE-43-D, receiving his silver wings and commission as a 2nd Lieutenant.[25][26] The U.S. Army Air Corps assigned eagleson II to the 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Fighter Squadron.[27][28]
During World War II, Eagleson II proved to be one of the Tuskegee Airmen's most prolific pilots, credited with two confirmed enemy German aerial kills and two probable aerial kills.[29][30] He flew an astounding 350 missions.
On August 15, 1944 during a bomber escort mission over Southern France, Eagleson II’s aircraft was struck by anti-aircraft flak, causing it to lose coolant. Eagleson II parachuted from his severely damaged aircraft. He was rescued and driven back to Ramitelli Air Field by U.S. troops who saw Eagleson II parachute and land nearby.[31]
After World war II, the U.S. Army Air Corps transferred Eagleson II to Tuskegee, Alavama where he assisted in the closure of Tuskekee's flight program. After leavbing the military for two years, he reenlisted, working as a flight mechanic during the Korean War and the Vietnam War.[32]
Early 1950s, Eagleson II saved the crew of a cargo plane when anti-aircraft flak struck it, seriously wounding the pilots. Assuming the controls, Eagleson II safely flew the plane to the Philippines. The [[[U.S. Air Force]] awarded him the Distinguished Flying Cross for his heroics.[33]
In 1972, Eagleson II retired from the military.[34]
Post-Military
Eagleson II moved to New York where he raised horses and golden retrievers on his family farm. He later relocated to Goldsboro, North Carolina where he worked at Belk's men’s clothing department.
Commendations and Awards
- Distinguished Flying Cross[35]
- Two Purple Hearts[36]
- Three Presidential Unit Citations[37]
- Red Star of Yugoslavia[38]
- Korean Service Medal[39]
- Vietnam Service[40]
- Campaign Medals[41]
Honors
- The Seymour Johnson Air Force Base's Tuskegee Airmen chapter in Goldsboro, North Carolina is named in honor of Eagleson II.[42]
- The Smithsonian Institution displays some of Eagleson II's World War II memorabilia.
Death
Eagleson II passed away on April 16, 2006 in Goldsboro, North Carolina, Wayne County. He was 86. He was interred at Goldsboro, North Carolina Wayne County, North Carolina, USA
See also
- Executive Order 9981
- List of Tuskegee Airmen
- List of Tuskegee Airmen Cadet Pilot Graduation Classes
- Military history of African Americans
References
- ^ "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Roster". CAF Rise Above. CAF Rise Above. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
- ^ NCPedia. "Wilson Vash Eagleson II - A Tuskegee Airman 1920 - 2006." Doris McLean Bates. Reprinted with permission from the Tar Heel Junior Historian, Fall 2003. Tar Heel Junior Historian Association, NC Museum of History. https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/eagleson-wilson
- ^ NCPedia. "Wilson Vash Eagleson II - A Tuskegee Airman 1920 - 2006." Doris McLean Bates. Reprinted with permission from the Tar Heel Junior Historian, Fall 2003. Tar Heel Junior Historian Association, NC Museum of History. https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/eagleson-wilson
- ^ Indiana University - The Golden Book. "Wilson V. Eagleson Jr. - World War II Pilot." https://goldenbook.iu.edu/veteran-stories/eagleson-wilson.html
- ^ Indiana University - The Golden Book. "Wilson V. Eagleson Jr. - World War II Pilot." https://goldenbook.iu.edu/veteran-stories/eagleson-wilson.html
- ^ NCPedia. "Wilson Vash Eagleson II - A Tuskegee Airman 1920 - 2006." Doris McLean Bates. Reprinted with permission from the Tar Heel Junior Historian, Fall 2003. Tar Heel Junior Historian Association, NC Museum of History. https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/eagleson-wilson
- ^ Indiana University - The Golden Book. "Wilson V. Eagleson Jr. - World War II Pilot." https://goldenbook.iu.edu/veteran-stories/eagleson-wilson.html
- ^ CAF Rise Above. "Wilson Vash “Swampy” Eagleson II." https://cafriseabove.org/wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii
- ^ NCPedia. "Wilson Vash Eagleson II - A Tuskegee Airman 1920 - 2006." Doris McLean Bates. Reprinted with permission from the Tar Heel Junior Historian, Fall 2003. Tar Heel Junior Historian Association, NC Museum of History. https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/eagleson-wilson
- ^ Indiana University - The Golden Book. "Wilson V. Eagleson Jr. - World War II Pilot." https://goldenbook.iu.edu/veteran-stories/eagleson-wilson.html
- ^ Indiana University - The Golden Book. "Wilson V. Eagleson Jr. - World War II Pilot." https://goldenbook.iu.edu/veteran-stories/eagleson-wilson.html
- ^ Indiana University - The Golden Book. "Wilson V. Eagleson Jr. - World War II Pilot." https://goldenbook.iu.edu/veteran-stories/eagleson-wilson.html
- ^ Indiana University. "IU AND WORLD WAR I: Read about IU's involvement in World War I and the plans to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the war's end." https://news.iu.edu/stories/features/world-war-i-anniversary/hoosiers-of-the-war.html
- ^ Indiana University. "A Phenomenal Woman." https://pride.iu.edu/pride-and-tradition/a-phenomenal-woman/
- ^ Indiana University - The Golden Book. "Wilson V. Eagleson Jr. - World War II Pilot." https://goldenbook.iu.edu/veteran-stories/eagleson-wilson.html
- ^ CAF Rise Above. "Wilson Vash “Swampy” Eagleson II." https://cafriseabove.org/wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii
- ^ CAF Rise Above. "Wilson Vash “Swampy” Eagleson II." https://cafriseabove.org/wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii
- ^ NCPedia. "Wilson Vash Eagleson II - A Tuskegee Airman 1920 - 2006." Doris McLean Bates. Reprinted with permission from the Tar Heel Junior Historian, Fall 2003. Tar Heel Junior Historian Association, NC Museum of History. https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/eagleson-wilson
- ^ NCPedia. "Wilson Vash Eagleson II - A Tuskegee Airman 1920 - 2006." Doris McLean Bates. Reprinted with permission from the Tar Heel Junior Historian, Fall 2003. Tar Heel Junior Historian Association, NC Museum of History. https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/eagleson-wilson
- ^ CAF Rise Above. "Wilson Vash “Swampy” Eagleson II." https://cafriseabove.org/wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii
- ^ CAF Rise Above. "Wilson Vash “Swampy” Eagleson II." https://cafriseabove.org/wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii
- ^ NCPedia. "Wilson Vash Eagleson II - A Tuskegee Airman 1920 - 2006." Doris McLean Bates. Reprinted with permission from the Tar Heel Junior Historian, Fall 2003. Tar Heel Junior Historian Association, NC Museum of History. https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/eagleson-wilson
- ^ NCPedia. "Wilson Vash Eagleson II - A Tuskegee Airman 1920 - 2006." Doris McLean Bates. Reprinted with permission from the Tar Heel Junior Historian, Fall 2003. Tar Heel Junior Historian Association, NC Museum of History. https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/eagleson-wilson
- ^ NCPedia. "Wilson Vash Eagleson II - A Tuskegee Airman 1920 - 2006." Doris McLean Bates. Reprinted with permission from the Tar Heel Junior Historian, Fall 2003. Tar Heel Junior Historian Association, NC Museum of History. https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/eagleson-wilson
- ^ 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.
- ^ CAF Rise Above. "Wilson Vash “Swampy” Eagleson II." https://cafriseabove.org/wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii
- ^ CAF Rise Above. "Wilson Vash “Swampy” Eagleson II." https://cafriseabove.org/wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii
- ^ NCPedia. "Wilson Vash Eagleson II - A Tuskegee Airman 1920 - 2006." Doris McLean Bates. Reprinted with permission from the Tar Heel Junior Historian, Fall 2003. Tar Heel Junior Historian Association, NC Museum of History. https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/eagleson-wilson
- ^ NCPedia. "Wilson Vash Eagleson II - A Tuskegee Airman 1920 - 2006." Doris McLean Bates. Reprinted with permission from the Tar Heel Junior Historian, Fall 2003. Tar Heel Junior Historian Association, NC Museum of History. https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/eagleson-wilson
- ^ CAF Rise Above. "Wilson Vash “Swampy” Eagleson II." https://cafriseabove.org/wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii
- ^ CAF Rise Above. "Wilson Vash “Swampy” Eagleson II." https://cafriseabove.org/wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii
- ^ CAF Rise Above. "Wilson Vash “Swampy” Eagleson II." https://cafriseabove.org/wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii
- ^ CAF Rise Above. "Wilson Vash “Swampy” Eagleson II." https://cafriseabove.org/wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii
- ^ CAF Rise Above. "Wilson Vash “Swampy” Eagleson II." https://cafriseabove.org/wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii
- ^ CAF Rise Above. "Wilson Vash “Swampy” Eagleson II." https://cafriseabove.org/wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii
- ^ CAF Rise Above. "Wilson Vash “Swampy” Eagleson II." https://cafriseabove.org/wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii
- ^ CAF Rise Above. "Wilson Vash “Swampy” Eagleson II." https://cafriseabove.org/wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii
- ^ CAF Rise Above. "Wilson Vash “Swampy” Eagleson II." https://cafriseabove.org/wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii
- ^ CAF Rise Above. "Wilson Vash “Swampy” Eagleson II." https://cafriseabove.org/wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii
- ^ CAF Rise Above. "Wilson Vash “Swampy” Eagleson II." https://cafriseabove.org/wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii
- ^ CAF Rise Above. "Wilson Vash “Swampy” Eagleson II." https://cafriseabove.org/wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wilson-vash-swampy-eagleson-ii
- ^ NCPedia. "Wilson Vash Eagleson II - A Tuskegee Airman 1920 - 2006." Doris McLean Bates. Reprinted with permission from the Tar Heel Junior Historian, Fall 2003. Tar Heel Junior Historian Association, NC Museum of History. https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/eagleson-wilson