Lemuel R. Custis
Lemuel R. Custis | |
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Born | Lemuel Rodney Custis June 4, 1915 Hartford County |
Alma mater | Howard University, University of Connecticut's School of Law (did not finish) |
Occupations |
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Years active | 1943–1946 |
Lemuel Rodney Custis (June 4, 1915 – February 24, 2005) was a
Custis was Hartford, Connecticut's first African American police officer.[3][1][4]
Custis was the first African American combat fighter pilot in the US military, sharing this distinction with cadet classmates Captain Benjamin O. Davis Jr., future Tuskegee Airmen Commander and future U.S. four-star general; 2nd Lt. George S. Roberts ("Spanky" Roberts)(September 24, 1918 - March 8, 1984); 2nd Lt. Charles DeBow (Feb 13, 1918 – April 4, 1968);[5] and 2nd Lt. Mac Ross (1912-1944)[6][1] Being among the first five to graduate, they "drew the most sustained attention from the press and the black community as a result."[7]
Custis was the last surviving member of this original African American US military combat fighter pilots.[1]
Early life
Custis was born June 4, 1915, in
Lemuel Custis attended
Custis was married to Ione Custis until her death in 1991.[8]
Military career
Custis left the Hartford Police Department to enlist in the
On March 6, 1942, Custis and three other cadets and one student officer graduated from the program: Captain
Custis served as the 99th Fighter Squadron's Squadron Operations Officer. He flew 92 missions in
The U.S. Army Air Force transferred Custis back to Tuskegee where he served as an advanced flight instructor.[1] In 1946, Custis received an honorable discharge from active duty, retiring with the rank of Major.[1]
Post-Military Career
In 1951, Custis enrolled at the
Custis was a member of the Windsor Locks, Connecticut New England Air Museum's Board of Directors.[1][11] He also served as an advisor to the Connecticut Aeronautical Historical Association.[11]
In 1996, Custis attended the 25th Annual National Convention of Tuskegee Airmen in
Honors
In 2001, Central Connecticut State University awarded Custis an Honorary Doctorate of Humanities.[1]
Death
Custis died on February 24, 2005, at the Brookview Health Care Center in
See also
- Executive Order 9981
- List of Tuskegee Airmen
- List of Tuskegee Airmen Cadet Pilot Graduation Classes
- Military history of African Americans
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Caf Rise Above. "Lemuel R. Custis." https://cafriseabove.org/lemuel-custis/
- ^ "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Roster". CAF Rise Above. CAF Rise Above. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
- ^ Cedar Hill Cemetery Foundation. "Lemuel R. Custis - 1915 – 2005."
- ^ a b c THE HARTFORD COURANT. "LEMUEL CUSTIS DIES; LEADER IN BLACK ACHIEVEMENT." DAVID OWENS; Courant Staff Writer. March 2, 2005. https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2005-03-02-0503020618-story.html
- ^ Caf Rise Above. "Charles Henry DeBow Jr."
- ^ Caf Rise Above. "Mac Ross."
- ISBN 9781579122539.
Lieutenants Lemuel Custis, Charles DeBow, George Roberts, and Mac Ross were the first four to graduate, in March of 1942, and drew the most sustained attention from the press and the black community as a result.
- ^ a b Hartford Courant. Obituary: "CUSTIS, LEMUEL RODNEY. March 5, 2005. https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-xpm-2005-03-03-0503020748-story.html
- ^ "Air Force Historical Support Division > Home" (PDF). Retrieved 7 February 2017
- ^ "TUSKEGEE AIRMEN CHRONOLOGY." DANIEL L. HAULMAN. ORGANIZATIONAL HISTORY BRANCH. AIR FORCE HISTORICAL RESEARCH AGENCY. MAXWELL AFB, AL 36112-6424. 14 November 2011. https://www.tuskegee.edu/Content/Uploads/Tuskegee/files/TUSKEGEE_AIRMEN_CHRONOLOGY12.2011.pdf
- ^ a b c d e CT Freedom Trail.org. "Lemuel R. Custis.." http://www.ctfreedomtrail.org/resource-library/site-of-the-month?month=2011-11