Charles W. Dryden
Charles W. Dryden | |
---|---|
Atlanta, Georgia | |
Place of burial | |
Allegiance | United States of America |
Service/ | United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force |
Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
Battles/wars | World War II |
Awards | Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame inductee |
Spouse(s) | Marymal Morgan Dryden |
Children | Charles a.k.a. Thumper Dryden, Keith Dryden, Eric Dryden, George Bingham, Kenneth Bingham, Tony Bingham, Cornelia-Rose White |
Charles Walter Dryden (September 16, 1920 – June 24, 2008) was a
Dryden was one of the first African American U.S. military pilots to engage in aerial combat against an enemy combatant, sharing this honor with
He is the author of the autobiography, A-Train: Memoirs of a Tuskegee Airman.[5]
Early life and family
Dryden was born on September 16, 1920, in New York City.[6] He was the son of Violet Adina Buckley Dryden and Charles Levy Tucker Dryden, both educators and immigrants from Jamaica who taught college on the island.[7][6][8] His father served as a sergeant in the Jamaican military during World War I.[8]
Dryden attended the predominantly white Stitt Junior High School where he served as Class President.
Dryden was married twice,with three sons from his first marriage and was survived by his wife of over 30 years, Marymal Morgan Dryden, married by Dr.Benjamin E.Mays of Atlanta,ga. They shared three stepsons and a stepdaughter with 2nd wife Marymal Morgan Dryden.[6]
Military service, Tuskegee Airmen
In August 1941, the
During
After he was transferred him back to the United States in Walterboro, South Carolina, Dryden and numerous other African American officers were angered when they saw German prisoners-of-war with greater freedom and access on the racially-segregated base than African-American military members. After performing a low-level flight maneuver over the base in protest, the USAAC court-martialed him.[7][10]
After World War II, he became a professor of Air Science at Howard University.[11][6] During his 21 years in the U.S. military, he served in Korea as a reconnaissance pilot, Japan, Germany and several bases in the United States.[9][7]
In 1962, he retired from the
Post-military
In 1955, he earned his Bachelors of Arts degree in political science from Hofstra University. He also earned a master's of arts degree in public law and government from Columbia University.[6]
He served as a director of the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame which inducted him in 1998.[6]
In 1997, he authored his autobiographical book, "A-Train: Memoirs of a Tuskegee Airman."
Honors
- In 1996, Hofstra University awarded Dryden an honorary doctorate.[6]
- In 1997, the then-Georgia Secretary of State Max Cleland designated Dryden the "Outstanding Georgia Citizen."[6]
- In 2007, then-US President US Congress awarded Dryden and other surviving airmen the Congressional Gold Medal.[12]
-
Plaque of Dryden at the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame
-
Painting at the Museum of Aviation
Death
Dryden died of natural causes on June 24, 2008, in
See also
- List of Tuskegee Airmen Cadet Pilot Graduation Classes
- List of Tuskegee Airmen
- Military history of African Americans
- Dogfights (TV series)
- Executive Order 9981
- The Tuskegee Airmen (movie)
References
- ^ Rector, Gene (2008-06-24). "Famed Tuskegee Airman dies in Atlanta". Macon Newspapers. Archived from the original on 2013-08-14. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
- ^ a b "U.S.A.F. Veteran Online Memorial | TWS Roll of Honor". airforce.togetherweserved.com. Retrieved 2021-07-17.
- ^ a b "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Roster". CAF Rise Above. Retrieved 2020-08-11.
- ^ "Tuskegee Airmen Soared to New Heights". www.army.mil. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
- ISBN 978-0-8173-1266-4.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "Lt. Col. Charles Dryden". The History Makers. 20 September 2004. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Robert Fikes (25 December 2018). "Charles Walter Dryden (1920-2008)". Black Past. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "Charles Dryden (1920-2008)". The New Georgia Encyclopedia. 12 October 2007. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
- ^ a b c "Charles W. Dryden Lieutenant Colonel, United States Air Force". Arlington National Cemetery Site by Michael Robert Patterson. Retrieved 21 September 2021.
- ^ "Profiling Heroes: More Tuskegee Airmen Fighter Pilots". Lucasfilm. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
- ^ "Red Tail Project - America's Flying Tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen". Commemorative Air Force. Archived from the original on 2007-12-08. Retrieved 2008-06-26.
- ^ "Congress, Bush Honor Tuskegee Airmen". NPR. 30 March 2007. Retrieved 19 January 2024.
- ^ "Charles W. Dryden". CAF RISE ABOVE. 2015-09-15. Retrieved 2023-11-14.
External links
Media related to Charles W. Dryden at Wikimedia Commons