Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City in Oklahoma County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

Major Charles B. Hall & The Tuskegee Airmen

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 21, 2025

1. Major Charles B. Hall & The Tuskegee Airmen Marker

Inscription. On 2 July 1943, then 1Lt. Charles B Hall of Brazil, Indiana, a Tuskegee Airman trained at Tuskegee Field, AL, earned the distinction of being the first African-American to shoot down an enemy aircraft from his P-40 fighter over Tunisia, North Africa.

Major Charles B. Hall went on to score a total of three aerial victories in combat. Major Hall moved to Oklahoma City after his military service and worked at Tinker Air Force Base for the Federal Aviation Administration until his death on 22 November 1971.

Tuskegee Airmen were awarded a total of 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 744 Air Medals, 8 Purple Hearts and 14 Bronze Stars for their services in combat. The full measure of their efforts, buoyed by their tenacity in the face of overwhelming odds, rampant discrimination and often deplorable conditions and treatment, is a testimony to the integrity of the Tuskegee Airmen. Indeed, the success of these airmen contributed greatly to the eventual racial integration of the US military.

This site is dedicated to Major Charles B. Hall and the Tuskegee Aiden of WWII.

Topics and series. This memorial is listed in

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these topic lists: African Americans • Air & Space • War, World II. In addition, it is included in the Tuskegee Airmen series list. A significant historical date for this entry is July 2, 1943.

Location. 35° 26.008′ N, 97° 24.306′ W. Memorial is in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in Oklahoma County. It is in Tinker Air Force Base. It can be reached from the intersection of South Air Depot Boulevard and Interstate 40, on the left when traveling south. Touch for map. Memorial is in this post office area: Oklahoma City OK 73145, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this memorial is in Central Oklahoma — Frontier Country.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: F-105D “Thunderchief” (a few steps from this marker); B-47 “Stratojet” (a few steps from this marker);

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 21, 2025

2. Major Charles B. Hall & The Tuskegee Airmen Marker

A-7D “Corsair II” (within shouting distance of this marker); C-141 “Starlifter” (within shouting distance of this marker); “Rosie the Riveter” (within shouting distance of this marker); C-47 “Skytrain” (within shouting distance of this marker); Tinker Air Force Base 75th Anniversary Time Capsule (within shouting distance of this marker); EA-6B “Prowler” (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Oklahoma City.

More about this memorial. It is in Charles B. Hall Airpark at the entrance to Tinker Air Force Base. The airpark is open to the public from dawn to dusk daily unless heightened security warrants closure.

Also see . . . Charles B. Hall. Hall left college in his third year to join the Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet, enlisting at Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis. Despite a 60% washout rate for aviation cadets and the monumental challenge faced by African-Americans wanting to serve the country, Charles survived the intense aviation cadet training, receiving his pilot’s wings and commission as a 2nd Lieutenant on July 3, 1942. (Indiana Aviation Hall of Fame) (Submitted on August 14, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Charles B. Hall image. Click for full size.

Unidentified; via American Air Museum in Britain (CC BY-NC 3.0), circa 1943

3. Charles B. Hall

Hall proudly shows off his first aerial victory marking on his P-40 fighter plane. He would fly 198 combat missions in all.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 14, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 146 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 14, 2025, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.