James B. Knighten

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James B. Knighten
Tulsa, Oklahoma
DiedNovember 9, 2000(2000-11-09) (aged 80)
Las Vegas, Nevada
Other namesJay Bernard
Occupation(s)Fighter pilot, comedian
Known forTuskegee Airmen
Spouse(s)Luana Knighten, Barbara Knighten
Children4 daughters
AwardsCongressional Gold Medal awarded to the Tuskegee Airmen

James Bernard Knighten (December 11, 1919 – November 9, 2000) was one of the first twelve African-Americans to become a pilot in the

99th Fighter Squadron, part of the World War II-era group of highly decorated African-American aviators known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Knighten flew in the first combat mission by African American pilots on June 9, 1943.[3] Knighten's military career continued through the Korean and Vietnam Wars. After retiring from the military in 1968, he had a 20-year career with the Federal Aviation Administration as an operations inspector in New York and later in Los Angeles.[4] Known as a jokester through his military career, Knighten began performing as a stand-up comedian in Las Vegas under the name of Jay Bernard during his years at the FAA, finally moving to Las Vegas to perform full-time after retiring from his position with the FAA.[4]

Biography

Early life

Knighten was born on December 11, 1919, in

Charles Sumner High School.[4] After graduating from high school, he matriculated at Dillard University in New Orleans from which he graduated with his Bachelor of Arts in social science.[4][5][6]

On May 11, 1938, Knighten was initiated in Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity's Beta Gamma chapter.[7]

Military career

P-51 aircraft with red markings.[N 1]

After graduating from college, Knighten began working as a waiter on the Santa Fe Railroad route between Chicago and Los Angeles.

Tuskegee Army Air Field and graduated on May 20, 1942 as one of the first 12 African American military pilots in United States history.[2][5][6][9]

After graduating from flight school at Tuskegee Air Field on May 20, 1942,

99th Fighter Squadron.[5] Soon thereafter, the 99th Fighter Squadron was stationed in North Africa.[4] Beginning in April 1943, the 99th Fighter Squadron distinguished itself first in missions over North African and subsequently the Italian mainland.[4] Knighten flew 81 missions during World War II - including the first combat mission ever by African American pilots in United States history on June 9, 1943[3] - and earned himself the nickname "The Eel" for his flying abilities.[4] While he crashlanded during one of these 81 missions, he walked away from the crash unscathed.[4] By the end of World War II, he earned the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters.[4]

Following World War II, Knighten remained with the Army Air Corps, which became the United States Air Force, and served honorably in both the Korean War and the Vietnam War. By the end of his career in the air force, he had risen to the rank of lieutenant colonel. Knighten retired from military duty in 1968.[4]

Marriage and children

Knighten married his first wife, Luana Knighten, ca. 1944. An actress, Luana died of a heart attack in 1956 just two days before she was supposed to appear in the play "Take a Giant Leap" on Broadway.[4] Knighten and Luana had two daughters together before her death.[10]

Shortly after Luana's death, he met and married his second wife Barbara, with whom he spent the rest of his life. Knighten and Barbara had two daughters together.[4][10]

Federal Aviation Administration career

Upon retiring from the military in 1968, Knighten assumed a position with the Federal Aviation Administration as an operations inspector in New York. He subsequently was transferred to Los Angeles. In total, his career with the FAA spanned 20 years.[4]

Comedy career

Knighten earned a reputation as a jokester amongst his fellow officers of the 99th Fighter Squadron.[5] As early as 1955, he began appearing sporadically at stand-up comedy clubs in Manhattan and Trenton, New Jersey, where he was stationed at McGuire Field.[4] Following his retirement as an investigator for the Federal Aviation Administration, Knighten launched a career as a comedian. For the next 20 years, he performed as an opening act at such venues as the Debbie Reynolds Hollywood Hotel, the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino, Palace Station and other resorts in the Las Vegas area.[4]

Death

Knighten died of heart failure at the age of 80 in Las Vegas, Nevada on November 9, 2000.[4]

Legacy

  • The James B. Knighten Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. was founded in Las Vegas in 1999 and named in his honor.[4]
  • A one-act play entitled Tuskegee Love Letters was written based on the letters between Knighten and his first wife during World War II.
    Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, which opened on August 13, 1990.[12]

Awards

See also

References

  1. ^
    ISBN 1-57356-246-7
    .
  2. ^
    ISBN 978-0-8283-2029-0
    .
  3. ^
    ISBN 1-56554-828-0
    .
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u "Former Tuskegee Airman, comic Knighten dies at 80". Las Vegas Sun. 15 November 2000. Retrieved 13 December 2013.
  5. ^
    ISBN 978-0-8283-2029-0
    .
  6. ^
    ISBN 1-57356-246-7
    .
  7. ^ Watch the Yard. "Fly Nupes: Photos Of The Handsome And Daring Men Of Kappa Alpha Psi Who Served As Tuskegee Airmen." https://www.watchtheyard.com/kappas/tuskegee-airmen/14/
  8. ^ Rice, Markus. "The Men and Their Airplanes: The Fighters." Tuskegee Airmen, 1 March 2000.
  9. ^ "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Listing". Tuskegee University. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 14 December 2013.
  10. ^
    ISBN 1-57356-246-7
    .
  11. ISBN 978-0-8232-2366-4
    .
  12. ISBN 1-883982-45-6
    .
  13. ^ "Public Law 109–213—APR. 11, 2006 Congressional Gold Medal to the Tuskegee Airmen" (PDF). Congress.gov. US Library of Congress. 19 November 2021. Retrieved 14 November 2021.

Notes

  1. ^ The Tuskegee Airmen became known for flying the P-51 aircraft with red markings that distinguished them from other squadrons, this included red bands on the noses of P-51s as well as a red rudder; their P-51B and D Mustangs flew with similar color schemes, with red propeller spinners, yellow wing bands, and all-red tail surfaces.[8]

Further reading

External links

Photographs

Videos

Websites

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