USS Hornet Pays Tribute to Bay Area Tuskegee Airmen Veterans

The USS Hornet Museum
will honor two local famed WWII Tuskegee Airmen veterans during its Living Ship
Day on Saturday, March 15. 


The
special presentation begins at 1 p.m. and will be followed by a meet and greet
aboard the ship docked at 707 W. Hornet Ave., Alameda.

The
Tuskegee Airmen were the first African-American pilots to fly for the military
during World War II. Officially they were part of the 332nd Fighter
Group and the 477th Bombardment Group of the U.S. Army Air Forces.
But they became known as the Tuskegee Airmen because they were based in
Tuskegee, Ala. In spite of encountering racial discrimination both within and
outside the military, the Tuskegee Airmen trained and flew with distinction. In
recognition of their efforts and bravery, the Tuskegee Airmen were awarded the
Congressional Gold Medal.



The
guest speakers include:

·  Lt.
Burl Smith of Oakland. Mr. Smith who trained in the Fighter Program for P-51.



·  Sgt.
Clyde Grimes served in the intelligence bureau of the Tuskegee Airmen. He also
lives in Oakland.



·  Historian
Dave Cunningham will lead the panel discussion. His father, John O. Cunningham,
was a Tuskegee Airman. Dave received his pilot’s license in Tuskegee in October
2003, almost 60 years after his father completed his flight training. Dave
currently serves as the Tuskegee Airmen Chapter President in the Bay Area.



Any
other Tuskegee veterans will be given complimentary admission to the Museum
that day.



As
part of Living Ship Day, numerous activities are scheduled throughout the day
beginning at 11 a.m. The museum comes to life as an operating aircraft carrier
with flight simulations from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Watch as aircraft are lifted
to the flight deck and placed in launch position. Visitors can meet former
crew, sit in the cockpit of a fighter jet and enjoy the sights and sounds of
naval aviation. Or simply sit and listen to the Big Band sounds of the Hornet
Band.



Living
Ship Day demonstrations are held on the third Saturday of most months. Normal
museum hours and admission prices apply. Museum Members receive free admission.
Ample free parking is available across from the pier. The USS Hornet Museum is
located at 707 W Hornet Ave, Pier 3 in Alameda.

 ###