James Alonzo Walker

James Alonzo Walker (September 20, 1918 – August 23, 2004) was an American aviator from Manning, South Carolina who served as a Tuskegee Airman during World War II. He flew more than 102 missions in the European Theatre of WWII, and was shot down in action over Serbia at the time occupied Kingdom of Yugoslavia by Third Reich ( Germany). He was saved in Halyard Mission known in Serbian as (Operation Air Bridge) in July 1944t, by Chetniks and general Dragoljub Draža Mihailović. He served in the military until 1964. He became the first African American commander of an integrated unit in 1950.

Lieutenant colonel

James A. Walker
James A. Walker
Birth nameJames Alonzo Walker
Nickname(s)Jimmy
Born(1918-09-20)September 20, 1918
Manning, South Carolina U.S.
DiedMarch 26, 1992(1992-03-26) (aged 73)
Hayward, California U.S.
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branch
Years of service1943-1964
RankLieutenant colonel
Unit332d Fighter Group
Awards
Alma materHampton Institute
Spouse(s)Cynthia
Children4

Early life

He was born in Manning, South Carolina and his parents were James and Daisy.[1] Walker went to High School in Baltimore, Maryland.[2] He went to Hampton Institute in Virginia.[1] Before joining the Tuskegee Airman Walker had 90 hours of flight time.[3]

Career
Walker flew a P-40 Warhawk during his time in the European Theatre.[N 1]

Walker enlisted as a cadet and began military service in July 1941. He was assigned to the 99th Pursuit Squadron 332nd Fighter Group on June 1, 1942.[5] Walker was in class Class 43-E-SE.[6] Walker was shot down over the in Serbia. He was missing for 30 days before returning to his unit.[3] He piloted a P-40 Warhawk in Europe during WWII.[5] When he was shot down he came across an armed teen: Aleksandar Zivkovic. The teen helped Walker elude the enemy and helped him get back to his unit 39 days later. Walker met with Zivkovic a half a century later and thanked him.[2] After that he was saved in Mission Haylard by Chetniks and general Dragoljub Draža Mihailović and was transported to Italy.

In 1950 at Langley Air Force BaseWalker was the first African American officer to have command of an unsegregated unit.[5]

Walker had served for 26 years eventually retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.[7]

Awards and honors

See also

References
  1. "James A. Walker". The Sumter Item. August 30, 2004. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  2. "James Alonzo Walker". CAF Rise above. CAF Rise above.
  3. Carter, Art (May 5, 1945). "Down, Eager for Combat". Baltimore Afro American. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  4. Rice, Markus. "The Men and Their Airplanes: The Fighters." Tuskegee Airmen, 1 March 2000.
  5. "From Tuskegee Airmen to Wells Fargo team members". Wells Fargo. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  6. "Tuskegee Army Air Field class 43-E, 1943". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. September 26, 2009. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  7. "James Alonzo Walker". American Air Museum in Britain. Imperial War Museums. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  8. Kruzel, John J. "President, Congress Honor Tuskegee Airmen". Army. U.S. Army. Retrieved July 25, 2019.

Notes
  1. The Tuskegee Airmen trained with the P-40 aircraft. Later the Tuskegee Airmen became known for flying the P-51 aircraft with red markings that distinguished the Tuskegee Airmen included red bands on the noses of P-51s as well as a red rudder; their P-51B and D Mustangs flew with similar color schemes, with red propeller spinners, yellow wing bands and all-red tail surfaces.[4]
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