Tuskegee Airman Passes Away

An original Tuskegee Airman passed away May 26th in Cleveland. Retired Sgt. James F. Travis Sr. served in the Army Air Corps from 1943 to 1946 and became an aerial engineer, gunner and crew chief attached to the 477th Bombardment Group during World War II.

Trained at Tuskegee, Ala., he flew in P-47 and B-25 aircraft serving at Freeman Field, Ind.; Godman Field, Ky.; Selfridge Field, Mich.; Shepherd Field, Texas, Walterboro Field, S.C.; and Buckingham Field, Fla. Following honorable discharge, Mr. Travis worked as an accountant for Standard Oil for 32 years.

The Tuskegee Airmen is the popular name of a group of African American pilots who flew with distinction during World War II with the Army Air Corps. Prior to the Tuskegee Airmen, no U.S. military pilots had been African American. A series of legislative moves by Congress in 1941 forced the Army Air Corps to form an all-black combat unit, despite the War Department's reluctance.

A visitation will be held Wed. June 3 from 4 to 6 p.m. at E.F. Boyd and Son Funeral Home in Cleveland. A wake will be held at 10:30 a.m. June 4 at Antioch Baptist Church in Cleveland, with services immediately following at 11 a.m.

ANN extends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of this uncommon hero...

FMI: www.af.mil