Milton Select Board recognizes March 27, 2025 as Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, When the United States was drawn into World War II, African Americans were aspiring to more meaningful roles in the defense of the nation and in military aviation; and

WHEREAS, The rapid expansion of aircraft production to meet the demand for air power during World War II in turn created a greater need for military pilots. Public outcry strongly encouraged the War Department to extend the opportunity to fly airplanes to all military members, regardless of race; and

WHEREAS, The Tuskegee Institute in Alabama was one of six African American colleges and universities chosen to participate in the War Department’s Civilian Pilot Training (CPT) Program, and helped open the door for the first African American military pilots; and

WHEREAS, The Tuskegee Airmen flew more than 15,000 sorties; destroyed or damaged over 400 German aircraft, over 950 units of ground transportation, and sank a destroyer with machine gun fire alone; received hundreds of Air Medals and more than 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses and lost very few bomber aircraft to enemy air action during escort missions; and

WHEREAS, The Tuskegee Airmen overcame segregation and prejudice to become one of the most prestigious, decorated, and respected fighting groups of World War II; and

WHEREAS, Sergeant Harvey F. Sanford, father of a Milton resident, was the youngest African-American maintenance inspector to take part in the advanced training group at Tuskegee and Lieutenant Colonel Harold E. Thornell, M.D., a former Massachusetts resident and great-grandfather of Milton residents, was one of the first two Black officers to attend the School of Aviation Medicine for an integrated military training course. He graduated as an aviation medical examiner in March 1943 and served as a flight surgeon with the 99th Fighter Squadron; and

WHEREAS, March is a special month for the Tuskegee Airmen. It was the month that the first cadets received their silver wings; the first maintenance crew began training at Chanute Field, IL; the first Pursuit Squadron (The 99th) was activated; and President George W. Bush, in 2007, presented the Congressional Gold Medal to the Tuskegee Airmen.

NOW, THEREFORE, WE, THE MILTON SELECT BOARD do hereby recognize March 27, 2025 as

TUSKEGEE AIRMEN COMMEMORATION DAY
GIVEN THIS DAY, Tuesday, March 25, 2025

Signed by the Chair, on behalf of the Select Board:
Richard G. Wells, Jr.

Roxanne F. Musto, Vice Chair
John C. Keohane, Secretary
Erin G. Bradley, Member
Benjamin D. Zoll, Member