THE ARCHER-RAGSDALE ARIZONA CHAPTER NEWSLETTER

Reaching Our Youth – Ensuring the Future! June 2021 Volume 2. Nr. 3

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ONE OF LAST SURVIVING ARIZONA TUSKEGEE AIRMEN DIES

Captain Bob Ashby, Frontier Airlines Lt. Colonel Bob Ashby, USAF, Ret.

Lt. Colonel (Retired) Robert Ashby, USAF, and Captain (Retired) Frontier Airlines, passed away Friday, March 5, 2021, at his home in Sun City, AZ. He was 95 years old. Ashby was a Tuskegee Airman and was the first African American hired by Frontier Airlines.

He was born in Yemassee, SC on July 17, 1926. After his father died, his mother Lillian, brother James, sister Elizabeth, and Bob moved to Jersey City, NJ. As a student in high school, Bob began to investigate pilot training after hearing of the experiences of black pilots in the 99th. At seventeen, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps as a candidate for the Aviation Cadet program. He was called to active duty in August 1944 after graduating from Ferris High School in Jersey City, NJ. Bob was assigned to Keesler Field, MS for basic training and in December 1944 he was sent to Tuskegee, AL to begin aviation training. As a cadet he flew the Stearman PT-17, AT-6, and the B-25. Ashby graduated and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant with the Tuskegee Class of 45-H on November 20, 1945. cont’d on page 5.

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

Year 2020 ended on a sad note for ARAC as our chapter lost two former members, Carlton St. Bernard ( October 30) and Gary Fabbri (November 9). We also lost one of our Chinese Canadians, George Chou (November 6). The losses continued into early 2021 with the passing of Rudolph Silas (February 6) and ARAC’S icon, Bob Ashby (March 5, 2021). These great patriots left indelible marks upon our hearts and a wellspring of memories that will be everlasting. May they all rest in peace!

Despite the challenges of 2021, ARAC has eagerly embraced the future with enthusiasm and optimism: $1,500 scholarships were also awarded in • During the January 2021 Western Region honor of the late Colonel (Ret) William Zoom Conference, ARAC was cited for its Campbell. continued progress in membership, youth outreach, and innovation. The biannual • On March 25, the first “Virtual” Tuskegee newsletters were especially cited for their Airmen Commemoration Day Celebration appearance, contents and quality. The chapter was successfully conducted commensurate has since been used as a model to inspire and with the 80th Anniversary of the Tuskegee motivate other chapters in the Western Airmen Legacy. Colonel James L. Region as well as in the Central and Eastern Greenwald, Commander, 944th Fighter regions. was our guest speaker. Our guests included Arizona Congressional members, numerous • The several members of ARAC developed a city mayors, and special dignitaries and “Virtual Presentation Capability” using the members from Canada. emerging virtual technology. In February, virtual presentations were successfully made As I announced during our May 22nd meeting, I to the 41st Electronic Combat Squadron, regretfully must resign as President of ARAC Davis Monthan AFB, Tucson, AZ and the because of significant health concerns exacerbated College of Business and Information by the chronic effects of Agent Orange. Further Technology, University of Phoenix. ARAC medical evaluations and tests are pending. In the now has a proven capability to provide meantime, a Nominating Committee has been presentations throughout the nation and established and requests are hereby made for overseas at venues including schools, candidates for president and secretary. An election is colleges & universities, churches, businesses, expected to be held in September 2021. and military organizations. I sincerely thank each of you for your commitment, • In February and March, Diana Gregory and dedication, and tireless support of ARAC, TAI, and a highly talented, energized committee me in the pursuit of our collective missions the past completed the 2021 scholarship selection of two years. The success of our chapter is due to your 40 to 50 applications provided by the Arizona unequalled love and passion for the great legacy of Community Foundation. Their outstanding the Tuskegee Airmen and for the light they left on work resulted in two $1,500 scholarships the trail we trod! May the good Lord continue to awarded in honor of original Tuskegee bless each one of you. Airmen Lt. Col (Ret) Asa Herring and the late Lt. Col (Ret) Robert Ashby. Three additional Colonel Richard “Dick” Toliver, USAF, Retired 2

SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENTS – 2021

Chris Bien-nee Tsoumou Lucy Negatu Sara Thomas Amaru Bond Laura Francois

The Archer-Ragsdale Arizona Chapter, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. (ARAC) continues to honor and perpetuate the great legacy of the famed Tuskegee Airmen of WW II in a powerful and substantive way. The chapter focuses on outreach to young people throughout Arizona and provides educational assistance to students in pursuit of their lifetime goals. The primary objective is to inspire and motivate youth to achieve success in a chosen career field. Emphases are placed on careers in aviation, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) and other technological disciplines.

In 2021, five scholarships of $1,500 each were awarded to Chris Bien-nee Tsoumou (Copper Canyon High School), Lucy Negatu (Phoenix Country Day School), Sara Thomas (Arcadia High School), Amaru Bond (Tolleson Union High School), and Laura Francois (North High School). Two of the scholarships were awarded in honor of Tuskegee Airmen Lt. Col (Ret) Asa Herring and the late Lt. Col (Ret) Robert Ashby. Three scholarships were awarded in honor of the late Colonel (Ret) William A. Campbell. All three Airmen had ties to Arizona or have families still residing in the state.

The students graduated from high schools in the cities of Glendale, Phoenix, Gilbert, and Tolleson. They have chosen to attend the University of Southern California, Brown University, University of Redlands, Tuskegee University, and the University of Missouri. Their career aspirations include Physician Assistant, Law, Medicine/Trauma Surgeon, Agribusiness/Law, and Biology-Neurosurgeon

Since organizing in 2006, ARAC has accomplished its goals and mission by maximizing the rich legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen to raise funds and form partnerships with civilian and military organizations. Successful relationships have been established with the Arizona Community Foundation; Scholarship Sponsor, Sonoran Technology; the Organization of Black Aerospace Professionals (OBAP); Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA); Embry Riddle; Southwest Airlines; Luke AFB; FAA; Arizona Public Service Company; Honeywell- Aerospace; Arizona Cardinals; Arizona Diamondbacks; Phoenix Suns; Arizona State University; and several others.

With the support of these partnerships, ARAC has averaged over forty public appearances and school visits per year while reaching all ethnic and socio-economic groups. Over 300 students have attended the chapter's week- long Aviation Career Education (ACE) Academy each June, and more than 500 students have received orientation flights. Most notably, thousands of dollars have been awarded in annual scholarships to high school graduates in Arizona over the past fifteen years.

Although a myriad of challenges persisted through the 2020 pandemic, ARAC has emerged stronger and has embraced the future with continued enthusiasm, hope, and optimism. 3

944TH FIGHTER WING CHANGE OF COMMAND

(L-R) Mike Webb, Cassandra Clark, Peggy Toliver, Colonel Mark D. Van Brunt, Major General Bryan P. Radliff, Dick Toliver, Colonel James L. Greenwald, Benita Beckles, and Joseph Olano

Major General Bryan P. Radliff, Commander, officiated at the 944th Fighter Wing Change of Command Ceremony on June 6, 2021, at which Colonel James L. Greenwald relinquished command to Colonel Mark D. Van Brunt. Colonel Greenwald is completing more than 32 years of superior service in the Active and Reserves Air Forces. His leadership, commitment, and support for ARAC continued our outstanding relationship and great legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen dating back to WW II.

ARAC welcomes Colonel Mark D. Van Burnt and looks forward to continuing the tremendous legacy and traditions of service of the Tuskegee Airmen. Colonel Brunt recently commanded the 482nd Operations , Homestead Air Reserve Base, FL. He was responsible for the combat development and training of active duty, Air Reserve Technicians, traditional reservists, and full-time civilians in a group consisting of 28 F-16C/D aircraft.

607TH AIR CONTROL SQUADRON CHANGE OF COMMAND

(L-R) Colonel Watkins, Lt. Colonel Brown, and Lt. Colonel Hull. Lt. Colonel Brown Addressing the Troops

On June 10, 2021, Colonel George R. Watkins, Commander, 56th Operations Group, officiated the Change of Command of the 607th Air Control Squadron, Luke AFB. After more than two years, Lt. Colonel Gabriel M. Hull relinquished command to Lt. Colonel Stanley C. Brown, Jr. Both men have sterling careers in combat operations and training of Battle Management professionals, and both have extensive air combat experience in support of Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn, Enduring Freedom, Inherent Resolve, or Freedom Sentinel.

Photos by Joseph, ARAC PRO 4

Ashby, Cont’d from Page 1

Second Lieutenant Ashby was assigned to Japan as a part of the U.S. occupying force. Upon his arrival, he was rejected by two white flying units because of his color as the Army was still segregated. Ashby was removed from pilot status and assigned to a black company in the Quartermaster Department in Tokyo, Japan. In May 1949, Ashby was reinstated to flight status upon being reassigned to the all-black unit at Lockbourne Airfield, OH. In August 1949, he was assigned to Wright Patterson AFB for a short tour, then to Cleveland Municipal Airport to a Reserve Troop Carrier Wing. Here he trained Reserve weekend warriors in the T-6 and C-46 aircraft.

In 1952, Ashby flew combat in B-26s for a year while stationed in Korea. In 1956, he was assigned to England and flew the T-33, B-45, and B-66 aircraft. Later Ashby trained in the B-47 bomber and served as a B-47 instructor. In July 1965, Robert Ashby retired as a Lt. Colonel after twenty-one years of honorable service in U.S. Air Force. During his career, he attended the University of Maryland and U.C.L.A college programs.

Ashby started his commercial aviation career in 1965 with United Airlines as one of their flight operations instructors. He taught in the classroom, on the airplane simulator, and in the 727 aircraft. In 1968, he helped write the training program for the 747 aircraft, including the curriculum, the objectives for the 747, and the instructions for the aircrews. In 1973, Ashby was employed by Frontier Airlines as a Second Officer, First Officer, and then as Captain. He flew the Twin Otter, Convair 580, Boeing 737, and MD-80. Bob had an outstanding record of precision, quality, courtesy, and safety with Frontier Airlines and over 20,000 flying hours. In addition, he was the first African American pilot to reach mandatory retirement age (60 years) with a major airline. Bob Ashby retired on July 17, 1986. He is survived by his wife, Dorina and two children, Rodney and Karen. A third son, Michael, died in December 2012. Bob also had several grandchildren, great grandchildren, and stepchildren. IN REMEMBRANCE

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ARAC VOLUNTEERS SUPPORT NATIONAL EFFORT TO AWARD THE CONGRESSINAL GOLD MEDAL TO THE 6888TH CENTRAL POSTAL DIRECTORY BATTALION

Women of the 6888th in 1945 At Memorial, Ft. Leavenworth, KS Nov 2018

Since the fall of 2020, ARAC volunteers joined the national effort to gain U.S. Congressional approval to award the Congressional Gold Medal to the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion of WW II. On Feb 11-12, 2021, the 117th Congress reintroduced Senate Bill S. 321 and House Bill H.R. 1012, respectively for the award.

On April 30, 2021, the Senate passed S. 321; however, H. R. 1012 is still pending approximately 100 needed co- sponsors. The ARAC team is continuing diligently to encourage other outside agencies such as the VFW, American Legion, and Buffalo Soldiers to join in the effort. As of April 12, 2021, only seven of the 855 women who were part of the “Six Triple Eight” are still alive, and they all are in their late 90s or over 100 years old. Major (Ret) Fran McClendon, member of ARAC, is the only survivor in Arizona. ______100-YEAR-OLD VETERAN RECEIVES COVID-19 VACCINE, DESIGNATED AS “LIVING LEGEND”

ARAC’S Air Force Major (Ret) Fannie Griffin McClendon, who turned 100 in September 2020, was presented with the Women in Military Service for America Living Legend Proclamation on March 27, 2021. In addition, Fannie received her COVID-19 vaccine at the Staff Sergeant Alexander W. Conrad Veterans Affairs Health Care Clinic in Gilbert, AZ. Among the more than two million vaccinated Arizonans, very few are 100 years old and served during World War II. Major McClendon served for almost 30 years in the military. She first enlisted in the Army at 19 years old and was commissioned as an officer in the only all-Black, women’s Army Corps. Her unit, known as the “Six Triple Eight” Central Postal Directory Battalion,” was sent to Europe during World War II to untangle a backlog of over 7 million pieces of mail and packages. The 6888th created an effective filing and sorting system that processed and redistributed over 17 million letters and care packages previously undelivered: thus, clearing the six-month backlog in just three months!

Major Fannie Griffin McClendon receives a coin from Dr. Alyshia Smith, Executive Director of the Phoenix VA Health Care System.

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VISION PARTNERS ● BE A DONOR

As ARAC emerges from the 2020 pandemic, we are exceedingly filled with hope and optimism because of the outstanding support of our faithful donors! These include businesses, charitable and family trusts, foundations, and individuals who have graciously invested in the most important community resource – our youth, thereby perpetuating the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. All monetary and in-kind contributions, donations, and sponsorships are gratefully acknowledged. With your support, ARAC will be able to sustain initiatives and programs that inspire and motivate youth toward excellence in the pursuit of their life’s goals.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

To Donate Online: Please specify the desired use of your contribution in the dropdown Menu on the PayPal page o General Operating Fund o Ashby-Herring Scholarship Fund o Colonel William A. Campbell Scholarship Fund

For other Donations:

Complete the ARAC Donation Form Please make Checks or Money Orders payable to ARAC/TAI and mail with form to: ARAC Treasurer, Dr. Nathaniel Carr, 3520 Feather Avenue, Gilbert, AZ 85234

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THREE GREAT REASONS TO CELEBRATE OUR NATION’S 245 TH BIRTHDAY!

Prepared by ARAC Public Relations Committee. Visit aractai.com

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