South Columbus in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Tuskegee Airmen

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 14, 2008

1. Tuskegee Airmen Marker

Inscription. The “Tuskegee Experience,” a program of the Army Air Corps to train African Americans as military pilots, began at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama in 1941. At home and abroad during World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen prevailed against enormous odds, including racism. The Airmen never lost an escorted bomber to enemy fighters. In March 1946, the Tuskegee Airmen 477th Composite Group and its supporting units were transferred from Godman Field, Kentucky, to Lockbourne Army Air Base, where Colonel Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. took command. In July 1948, President Harry S. Truman issued Executive Order Number 9981, which mandated "equality of treatment and opportunity in the armed forces.” The Tuskegee Airmen played a major role in the integration of all U.S. military forces. The 477th was stationed at Lockbourne until 1949.

Erected 2003 by Ohio Bicentennial Commission, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 74-25.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Air & Space • Civil Rights • War, World II

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. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #33 Harry S. Truman, the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection, and the Tuskegee Airmen series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1946.

Location. 39° 49.057′ N, 82° 56.13′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County. It is in South Columbus. Marker is on John Circle Drive, on the left when traveling east. The marker is in walkway between parking lot and passenger terminal of Rickenbacker International Airport. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2241 John Cir Dr, Columbus OH 43217, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Captain Eddie Rickenbacker (here, next to this marker); F-100D "Super Sabre" (approx. 0.6 miles away); F-84F "Thunderstreak" (approx. 0.6 miles away); A-7D "Corsair II" (approx. 0.6 miles away); Historic Lockbourne (approx. 1.8 miles away); Ohio-Erie Canal and Locks / The Columbus Feeder Canal (approx. 2 miles away); a different marker also named Ohio-Erie Canal and Locks / The Columbus Feeder Canal (approx. 2 miles away); Lockbourne Veterans' Memorial (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbus.

Related marker.

Photographed By Alex Krempasky, October 10, 2022

2. Tuskegee Airmen Marker

Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.

Also see . . . Tuskegee Airmen. (Submitted on October 15, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Tuskegee Airmen and Captain Eddie Rickenbacker Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 14, 2008

3. Tuskegee Airmen and Captain Eddie Rickenbacker Markers

Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Stone image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, June 27, 2014

4. Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Stone

Home of the Tuskegee Airmen Lockbourne A.F.B.
1946-1949

Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, June 27, 2014

5. Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Stone

Stone is located at the intersection of B Avenue and Alum Creek Road.
39.824209,-82.934312

Grave of Colonel (later General) Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., mentioned on the marker. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, October 10, 2016

6. Grave of Colonel (later General) Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., mentioned on the marker.

Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.
General
United States Air Force
December 12, 1902-July 4, 2002

His beloved wife
Agatha S. Davis
January 23, 1908-March 10, 2002

The grave is located at Section 2, E-311, Arlington National Cemetery. His father, Benjamin O. Davis, Sr., is buried some meters away in the same section, E-478-B.

Credits. This page was last revised on May 13, 2023. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 2,323 times since then and 97 times this year. Last updated on May 14, 2021, by Grant & Mary Ann Fish of Galloway, Ohio. Photos: 1. submitted on October 15, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 2. submitted on May 13, 2023, by Alex Krempasky of Obetz, Ohio. 3. submitted on October 15, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 4, 5. submitted on June 27, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 6. submitted on October 10, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Accra, Ghana. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.