James Clayton Flowers

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James Clayton Flowers
Born (1915-12-25) December 25, 1915 (age 108)
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Allegiance United States
Service/branchUnited States Army Air Force
Years of service
  • 1944-1945 WWII
RankFirst Lieutenant
  • 1st Lieutenant (Army Air force)
Unit
Awards
Spouse(s)Evelyn Lorraine Flowers, 1919-2008[1]
Other workTeacher in New York

1st Lt. James Clayton Flowers (born December 25, 1915)[1] from Las Cruces, New Mexico,[2] is a member of the famed group of World War II-era African-Americans known as the Tuskegee Airmen. He was a recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal in 2007.[3]

Military service

World War II

The Tuskegee Airmen's aircraft had distinctive markings that led to the name, "Red Tails."[N 1]

He was a pilot with the 99th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group for five years.[5]

New Mexico held a ceremony to honor the Tuskegee Airmen in March 2014. Flowers was present for the dedication at the New Mexico Veterans' Memorial.[6]

Awards

  • Congressional Gold Medal (2007)[3]

Personal life

After WWII he and his wife Evelyn started a family. Edwards worked as a school teacher in the New York School System. After retirement he and his wife relocated to New Mexico.[1] They had two children.[7] He turned 100 on 25 December 2015.[8]

See also

Further reading

  • The Tuskegee Airmen: An Illustrated History, 1939-1949[9]
  • "Born to Fly the Skies." Weirton Daily Times (Weirton, W.Va.) 23 February 2013. Web. 17 January 2014.
  • "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Listing." Tuskegee University, 2014, Web. 17 January 2014.

References

  1. ^ a b "Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 61". congress.gov. Library of Congress. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  2. ^ Spearman, Warren. "In the presence of heroes, yesterday's and today's". holloman.af.mil. United States Air Force. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Rangel, Charles B. (April 11, 2006). "Tuskegee Airmen Gold Medal Signed Into Law". Press Release. United States House of Representatives. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
  4. ^ Rice, Markus. "The Men and Their Airplanes: The Fighters." Tuskegee Airmen, 1 March 2000.
  5. ^ Taylor, Spencer (September 1, 2019). "Veterans and friends honor Tuskegee Airman James Clayton Flowers in Las Cruces". Las Cruces Sun News. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  6. ^ "Tuskegee Airmen Honored at Event". Albuquerque Journal. March 28, 2014. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  7. ^ Montero, Savannah (October 18, 2017). "Memorial concert at NMSU to honor local hero, Tuskegee Airman Williams". New Mexico State university. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  8. ^ "Tuskegee Airman James Clayton Flowers turned 105 on Christmas Day". Las Cruces Sun News. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  9. ^ Caver, Joseph; Ennels, Jerome A.; Haulman, Daniel Lee (2011). The Tuskegee Airmen: An Illustrated History, 1939-1949. Montgomery: New South Books. p. 394. ISBN 978-1588382443. Retrieved February 6, 2020.

Notes

  1. ^ The 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]

External links

Tuskegee Airmen at Tuskegee University