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.
Tuskegee Airmen. . 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.
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.)
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.
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.)
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 14, 2008
3. Tuskegee Airmen and Captain Eddie Rickenbacker Markers
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
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 2,331 times since then and 105 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.