Columbus in Franklin County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Tuskegee Airmen
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 14, 2008
1. Tuskegee Airmen Marker
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
Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., October 14, 2008
2. Tuskegee Airmen and Captain Eddie Rickenbacker Markers
this page online
Location. 39° 49.057′ N, 82° 56.13′ W. Marker is in Columbus, Ohio, in Franklin County. Marker is on Johns Circle, 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 Johns Circle, 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.
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, June 27, 2014
3. Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Stone
Home of the Tuskegee Airmen Lockbourne A.F.B.
1946-1949
1946-1949
Related 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.)
Photographed By Mike Wintermantel, June 27, 2014
4. Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Stone
Stone is located at the intersection of B Avenue and Alum Creek Road.
39.824209,-82.934312
39.824209,-82.934312
Photographed By J. Makali Bruton, October 10, 2016
5. Grave of Colonel (later General) Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., mentioned on the marker.
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 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 15, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 1,949 times since then and 71 times this year. Last updated on May 14, 2021, by Grant & Mary Ann Fish of Galloway, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 15, 2008, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3, 4. submitted on June 27, 2014, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 5. submitted on October 10, 2016, by J. Makali Bruton of Querétaro, Mexico. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
