Serious Hero's ... source Library of Congress archives

Tuskegee airman Edward C. Gleed of Lawrence, KS, Class 42-K, Group Operations Officer. Includes P-5/D in background, "Creamer's Dream," generally flown by Charles L. White, St. Louis, MO, Class 44-C. Ramitelli, Italy, March 1945. (Source: Tuskegee Airmen 332nd Fighter Group pilots.)

(left) Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Commanding Officer, 332nd Fighter Group, Class 42-C; (right) Edward C. Gleed, Lawrence, KS, Class 42-K, Group Operations Officer. P-5/D in background, "Creamer's Dream," generally flown by Charles L. White, St. Louis MO, Class 44-C Ramitelli, Italy, March 1945. (Source: Tuskegee Airmen 332nd Fighter Group pilots.)

three Tuskegee airmen looking skyward, Ramitelli, Italy, March 1945

Tuskegee airman Edward C. Gleed, Lawrence, KS, Class 42-K, with two unidentified crewmen adjusting an external seventy-five gallon drop takn on the wing of a P-5/D, "Creamer's Dream." Ramitelli, Italy, March 1945.

left to right, Marcellus G. Smith, Louisville, Kentucky, and Roscoe C. Brown, New York, NY Class 44-C. P-SC#11, "Tootsie," in background was assigned to Lowell Steward. Ramitelli, Italy, March 1945. (Source: Tuskegee Airmen 332nd Fighter Group pilots.)

crew chief Marcellus G. Smith of Louisville, Kentucky, 100th F.S., working on an airplane. (Source: Tuskegee Airmen 332nd Fighter Group pilots.)

Col. Benjamin O. Davis presenting war bond for best kept A/C. Left to right: Crew chief Marcellus G. Smith, Louisville, KY, 100th F.S.; James A. Walker, Manning, SC, 43-E; unknown airman; George S. "Spanky" Roberts; and Davis.

standing, Woodrow W. Crockett, seated, Edward C. Gleed, Lawrence, KS, Class 42-K, Group Operations Officer. Ramitelli, Italy, March 1945.

several Tuskegee airmen attending a briefing. First row: 1. Hiram E. Mann, Cleveland, OH, Class 44-F; 2. Unidentified; 3. Newman C. Golden, Cincinnati, OH, 44-G; 4. Bertram W. Wilson, Jr., Brooklyn, NY, 44-E; 5. Samuel W. Watts, Jr., New York, NY, 44-E. Second row: 6. Armour G. McDemoe, Martinsville, VA, 43-A; 7. Howard C. Gamble, Charles Town, WV, 43-K; 8. Harr;y T. Steward, Jr. Corona, NY, 44-F; 9. Earle R. Lane, Wickliffe, OH, 44-D; 10. Wyrain T. Shell, Brooklyn, NY, 44-F?; 11. Harold M. Morris, Seattle, WA, 44-D; 12. John E. Edwards, Steubenville, OH, 44-C; 13. John H. Porter, Cleveland, OH, 44-C; 14. James H. Fischer?, Stoughton, MA44-G; 15. Wyrain T. Shell, Brooklyn, NY, 44-F?; Third row: 16. William E. "Porky" Rice?, Swarthmore, PA, 44-G; 17. Tony Weaver?; 18. Charles L. White?, St. Louis, MO, 44-C; 19. George Arnold Lynch, Valley Stream, NY, 44-F; 20. Samuel L. Washington, Cleveland, OH, 44-F; 21. Calvin J. Spann, Rutherford, NJ, 44-G; 22. Frank N. Wright, Elmsford, NY, 44-F. At Ramitelli, Italy, March 1945.

Tuskegee airmen leaving the parachute room. Left to right: Richard S. "Rip" Harder, Brooklyn, NY, Class 44-B; unidentified airman; Thurston L. Gaines, Jr., Freeport, NY, Class 44-G; Newman C. Golden, Cincinnati, OH, Class 44-G; Wendell M. Lucas, Fairmont Heights, MD, Class 44-E. Ramitelli, Italy, March 1945.

Tuskegee airman Edward M. Thomas of Chicago, IL, Class 43-J. Ramitelli, Italy, March 1945.

pilot from the 332nd Fighter Group signing the Form One Book, indicating any discrepancies of aircraft, prior to take off. (Source: Woodrow W. Crockett, 332nd Fighter Group pilot, Tuskegee Airmen.)

Theodore G. Lumpkin, Jr. Standing (left to right): Joseph L. "Joe" Chineworth, Memphis, TN, Class 44-E; Robert C. Robinson, Asheville, NC, Class 44-G; Driskell B. Ponder, Chicago, IL, Class 43-I; Robert W. Williams, Ottumwa, IA, Class 44-E. Ramitelli, Italy, March 1945. (Source: Photographer's notes and Tuskegee Airmen 332nd Fighter Group pilots.)

goats on a runway, with airplanes in the background, in Ramitelli, Italy, March 1945

Deputy Group Commander George S. "Spanky" Roberts with photographer Toni Frissell, at Ramitelli, Italy, March 1945. Frissell wrote "Just before take off in stripped down mustang--no guns--for rendezvous with the fighter pilots." Aircraft is a P-5/D, number 37, with three German crosses in front of the number. It was named "Marcelle" and was assigned to Group Headquarters. It is shown configured for "Piggyback."

Sgt. William P. Bostic, 301st F.S. in control tower. Control tower directed traffic with red, amber, and green lights and a flare gun to indicate special situations. Ramitelli, Italy, March 1945.