Red Tails at Ramitelli: The Tuskegee Airmen in 1945

332nd Fighter Group pilots. March 1945
(L-R) Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Commanding Officer, and Edward C. Gleed, Group Operations Officer, with North American P-51D Mustang
Toni Frissell (1907-88)
Collection of Library of Congress
LC-DIG-ppmsca-32661
R2021.2001.012

Photographer Toni Frissell with Major George S. Roberts on the wing of his North American P-51D Mustang March 1945
Toni Frissell (1907-88)
Collection of Library of Congress
LC-DIG-ppmsca 13244
R2021.2001.002

Born in London, West Virginia, George S. Roberts (1918–84) graduated with the first class of Tuskegee Airmen. Initially commissioned as a second lieutenant, he later became commanding officer of the 99th Pursuit Squadron, making him the first African American commander in the Army Air Corps. During World War II, he flew in nearly one hundred missions before assuming command of the 332nd Fighter Group in Ramitelli in 1945. After the War, he continued to serve in the Air Force as a senior Air Corps ROTC instructor at the Tuskegee Institute and in several major command positions. During his career, he amassed numerous awards and honors, including the Distinguished Flying Cross, an Air Medal, seven commendation medals, and two Presidential Unit Citations.

332nd Fighter Group Operations Officer Edward C. Gleed stands next to his North American P-51D Mustang March 1945
Toni Frissell (1907-88)
Collection of Library of Congress
LC-DIG-ppmsca-13269
R2021.2001.005

Born in Kansas, Edward C. Gleed (1916–90) graduated from Kansas University and enlisted in the 9th Cavalry as a Buffalo Soldier in 1941. In 1942, he attended aviation cadet training at Tuskegee and graduated as a second lieutenant. During WWII, Gleed served as a Squadron Commander of the 301st Fighter Squadron and later became the 332nd Fighter Group's operations officer. After the war, he continued to serve in the Air Force in several upper management positions. Following his retirement in 1970, he attended law school and received a Juris Doctorate Degree in 1976 at the age of 60.

Pilots from the 332nd Fighter Group exiting the parachute room March 1945
(L-R) Richard S. Harder, unidentified pilot, Thurston L. Gaines, Jr., Newman C. Golden, Wendell M. Lucas
Toni Frissell (1907-88)
Collection of Library of Congress
LC-DIG-ppmsca-13263
R2021.2001.004

332nd Fighter Group pilots attending a briefing March 1945
(first row L-R) Hiram E. Mann, unidentified; Newman C. Golden, Bertram W. Wilson, Samuel W. Watts, (second row L-R) Armour G. McDemoe, Howard C. Gamble, Harry T. Steward, Jr., Earle R. Lane, Wyrain T. Shell, Harold M. Morris, John E. Edwards, John H. Porter, James H. Fischer, (third row L-R) William E. Rice, Tony Weaver, Charles L. White, George Arnold Lynch, Samuel L. Washington, Calvin J. Spann, Frank N. Wright
Toni Frissell (1907-88)
Collection of Library of Congress
LC-DIG-ppmsca-13260
R2021.2001.011

332nd Fighter Group ground crewmen await the return of the pilots from a mission March 1945
Toni Frissell (1907-88)
Collection of Library of Congress
LC-DIG-ppmsca-13271
R2021.2001.007

332nd Fighter Group pilots attending a briefing March 1945
(front row L-R) unidentified, Jimmie D. Wheeler (with goggles), Emile G. Clifton (cloth cap), (standing L-R) Ronald W. Reeves (cloth cap), Hiram Mann (leather cap), Joseph L. Chineworth (wheel cap) Elwood T. Driver, Edward Thomas (partial view), Woodrow W. Crockett (wheel cap)
Toni Frissell (1907-88)
Collection of Library of Congress
LC-DIG-ppmsca-13259
R2021.2001.009

Crew chief Marcellus G. Smith with pilot of the 332nd Fighter Group signing the Form One Book,
indicating any discrepancies of aircraft prior to takeoff March 1945
Toni Frissell (1907-88)
Collection of Library of Congress
LC-DIG-ppmsca-13247
R2021.2001.013

332nd Fighter Group pilots attending a briefing March 1945
L-R front) Joseph L. Chineworth, Emile G. Clifton, Richard S. Harder, (L-R back) Frank N. Wright, Robert J. Murdic, Jimmie D. Wheeler
Toni Frissell (1907-88)
Collection of Library of Congress
LC-DIG-ppmsca-13261
R2021.2001.008

Sgt. William P. Bostic, 332nd Fighter Group, in the control tower March 1945
Toni Frissell (1907-88)
Collection of Library of Congress
LC-DIG-ppmsca-13249
R2021.2001.008

Crew chief Marcellus G. Smith of the 332nd Fighter Group works on a North American P-51D Mustang March 1945
Toni Frissell (1907-88)
Collection of Library of Congress
LC-DIG-ppmsca-13257
R2021.2001.014

332nd Fighter Group pilot Woodrow W. Crockett and unidentified pilot in the briefing room with
Group Operations Officer Edward C. Gleed March 1945
Toni Frissell (1907-88)
Collection of Library of Congress
LC-DIG-ppmsca-13262
R2021.2001.015

Red Tails at Ramitelli

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