Near Colonial Beach in Westmoreland County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Charles B. Smith

99th Fighter Squadron (Tuskegee Airmen)

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, September 1, 2009

1. Charles B. Smith Marker

Inscription. Born in Westmoreland County, Charles Bernard Smith (1917-1991) is one of more than 140,000 African Americans who served in the racially segregated U.S. Army Air Force during World War II. Trained at Chanute Field, Illinois, in aircraft ground support with the 99th Fighter Squadron, the famed “Tuskegee Airmen,” he served in North Africa and Europe as technical sergeant and crew chief. In more than 200 missions as bomber escorts, the Tuskegee Airmen never lost a bomber to enemy fire, and they received three Presidential Unit Citations. Their outstanding service contributed to the integration of America’s armed forces by President Harry S. Truman in 1948.

Erected 2005 by Department of Historic Resources. (Marker Number JT-21.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Air & Space • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #33 Harry S. Truman, the Tuskegee Airmen, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1948.

Location. 38° 11.782′ N, 77° 0.336′ W. Marker is near Colonial Beach, Virginia, in Westmoreland County. Marker can be reached from James Monroe Highway (

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Virginia Route 205) 0.2 miles south of Ferry Landing (Virginia Route 638), on the left when traveling south. This marker is located south of the baseball field parking lot. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Colonial Beach VA 22443, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. History at Oak Grove (approx. one mile away); Westmoreland Association (approx. one mile away); Bristol Iron Works (approx. 2.3 miles away); King George County / Westmoreland County (approx. 2.4 miles away); Monroe Creek (approx. 3.1 miles away); Journey's End (approx. 3.1 miles away); James Monroe's Legacy (approx. 3.1 miles away); The Monroe Doctrine (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Colonial Beach.

Also see . . . Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site. National Park Service (Submitted on September 7, 2009.)

Photographed By Bernard Fisher, September 1, 2009

2. Charles B. Smith Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on November 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 7, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,257 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 7, 2009, by Bernard Fisher of Richmond, Virginia.