Southwest Atlanta's Own 'Red Tails'

In recognition of the 70^th Anniversary of the creation of the nation’s first all African-American pursuit squadron, Atlanta City Councilmember Michael Julian Bond last month presented proclamations honoring the bravery of the surviving Tuskegee Airmen—men and women—of the metro Atlanta area at Atlanta City Hall (see photo gallery). Councilmember Bond was joined by Mayor Kasim Reed, other members of the Atlanta City Council, family, friends and special guests.

Of the Tuskegee Airmen who live in metro Atlanta, twelve were on hand during December's reception and proclamation ceremony. They included: Technical Sgt. Val Archer, Sgt. Crew Chief Norris Connally, Lt. Nurse Irma Cameron Dryden, Cadet Leroy Eley, Sgt. Edward Johnson, Flight Officer/Pilot Hiram Little, Master Sgt. Earl Martin, Inspector (Civilian)Wilbur Mason, Supply Technician (Civilian) James “Alley Pat” Patrick, Civilian Clerk Sara Plummer, Corporal James Simpson and Flight Officer/Pilot Raymond Williams.

Cascade Patch wants to recognize the men and women with ties to our community with a permanent photo gallery on our site.

Thanks to Cascade area resident and correspondent Jamie Cox—who has reported extensively on the legacies of our community cemeteries—we have a wonderful picture of the Tuskegee Airmen Lt. Col Bob Friend who was in town for the premiere showing and Zellie Orr, National President of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. at the burial site of Tuskegee Airman 1st Lt. Walter Drake Westmoreland, who was burried at South-View Cemetery. Bob Friend and Walter Drake Westmoreland were friends and members of 332nd Fighter Group and 302 Fighter Squadron based in Italy during WWII.

If you have pictures of any Tuskegee Airmen or Airwomen, please add them to our gallery and spread the word about this page.