Robert Ashby (Tuskegee Airman)
Robert Ashby | |
|---|---|
| Born | Robert Ashby July 17, 1926 Yemassee, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | March 5, 2021 (aged 94) Sun City, Arizona, U.S. |
| Resting place | Cremated |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1944–1965 |
Robert Ashby (July 17, 1926 – March 5, 2021) was a
Hired by Frontier Airlines in 1973, Ashby became one of the first few African Americans to work as a commercial airline pilot for a major commercial airline.[1][4] During his new-hire training class at Frontier, Ashby trained with Emily Howell Warner, the first female ever to be promoted to airline captain at a major commercial airline.[4]
Ashby was first and only Tuskegee Airmen to work as a commercial airline pilot captain with a major commercial U.S. airline.[1]
On March 29, 2007, Ashby and the collective
Early life, education, family
Ashby was born on July 17, 1926, in Yemassee, in Hampton County, South Carolina. As a child, Ashby delivered the local African American newspaper to earn money. He graduated from James J. Ferris High School in Jersey City, New Jersey.[1]
Years later, Ashby obtained college training with the
Military service
At age 17, Ashby enlisted in the
On November 20, 1945, Ashby graduated with the Tuskegee Cadet Pilot Class TE-45-H, receiving a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant.[1]
The U.S. Air Force transferred Ashby to Japan to aid in the post-World War II preoccupation. However, two all-white flying units refused to allow him to fly based on the unit's de facto racial segregation policies.[1] He was later stationed in South Korea and in Europe, serving as a flight instructor.[5]
In July 1965, Ashby retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel.[1]
Commercial airline pilot career
In 1965, United Airlines hired Ashby as a flight operations instructor, working on the team that developed its inaugural 747-flight training program. Unfortunately, the airline later furloughed Ashby under the “last hired/first fired” to reduce the airline's allegedly bloated pilot roster.
In July 1973, Ashby became one of the first few African Americans to work as a commercial airline pilot for a major commercial airline,
During his new hire onboarding training at Frontier, Ashby trained with
In 1986, Ashby retired from Frontier Airlines with the rank of Captain.[5] He is considered the first African American commercial airline pilot for major commercial airlines to reach the mandatory retirement age of 60.[5] He was the only known member of the Tuskegee Airmen to work as a commercial airline Pilot Captain with a major airlines.[1]
Death
Ashby died on March 5, 2021, in Sun City, Arizona, aged 95. He was cremated. Ashby was one of three last-surviving Tuskegee Airmen living in the U.S. state of Arizona.[5]
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 "Robert Ashby". CAF Rise Above. 18 October 2018. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
- ^ Crowther, Linnea. "Robert Ashby (1926–2021), Tuskegee Airman who was the first Black pilot for Frontier Airlines", Legacy.com, March 11, 2021. Accessed February 6, 2022.
- ^ "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Roster". CAF Rise Above. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
- ^ a b c d e "Legendary Tuskegee Airman and Retired ALPA Member Robert Ashby Flies West". Air Line Pilots Association, International (ALPA). 31 March 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
- ^ a b c d e "Robert Ashby, 1 of Arizona's 3 surviving Tuskegee Airmen, dead at 95". Associated Press. 11 March 2021. Retrieved 22 September 2021.
- ^ Whitlock, Flint (2009). Turbulence Before Takeoff: The Life & Times of Aviation Pioneer Marlon Dewitt Green. Cable Publishing. ISBN 978-1-934980-66-8.