speed. Too much reduction meant a stall if he dropped below flying speed. He descended controlling the attitude to put the plane in landing condition. The wrong attitude could result in a hit and bounce. With too much speed he couldn't keep the plane on the ground. He learned the trick was to come down smoothly, kill speed until the wheels touched ground, and at that point diminish remaining power so the full weight of the aircraft settled down. As experience increased, Charles became more comfortable with the variables and began mastering the art of flying."
…Just to be able to go up at altitudes above all the noise and clutter of earth--it’s something that’s hard to put into words. It’s a feeling of freedom, of not being bound….. It’s what stuck with me and kept me at it. "
While Charles was progressing with primary flight training, the first graduates of the Tuskegee program, the 99th Pursuit Squadron, were stuck at the TAAF enduring many months of delays by the still reluctant military leadership. They were generating enough red tape to keep these new black pilots out of the war they had so valiantly prepared to enter.
Among the white leaders at TAAF, Colonel Noel Parrish believed in the capabilities of the black pilots he trained and spoke earnestly for their activation. Parrish came to Tuskegee in May of 1941 to command the newly activated 66th Army Air Corps training detachment and followed the first graduates to Advanced Flying School, becoming Director of Training later that year and Base Commander early in 1943. Parrish replaced Colonel Frederick V. Kimble who showed greater concern for upholding the credo of segregation, civilian and military, than the progress of the Tuskegee program. Within War Department policies, Parrish’s thoughtful nature and belief in fairness led him to implement practices to improve the quality of life for blacks at Tuskegee.
Charles' 43-F class, which would join the 332nd Fighter Group, had its first drop outs during primary flight training, but most moved on to Basic Flight Training. Basic was the first time the cadets would be assigned to white military instructors who were their trainers in the BT-13A at the Army airfield. Because they had been instructed to "train by the book," there was no concern that the black cadets were getting different or lesser preparation than their white counterparts.
Basic brought more complex assignments on the ground and in the air. For the weight and winds, Charles computed the speed at which the aircraft would lift. He tested his ability to maneuver the craft and its responsiveness. While he learned to master the challenges of the sky, Frances held her own on the ground, now living in a private residence. She worked by day and busied herself sewing and reading in the evenings. Charles' visits were not as frequent as desired.
Charles' father, sister and brother had each entered military service. Lewis Sr. was again serving as a chaplain, Ruth joined the Woman's Army Corps, and Lewis Jr., leaving college, signed up for the Signal Corp. Because of segregation, often blacks were assigned to Negro training locations regardless of whether or not their skills were needed. TAAF did not need additional Signal Corps officers, but Lewis Jr. was stationed there for a short time before reassignment to the Pacific Theater of operations where his skill was needed. This temporary assignment gave Frances an occasional opportunity to visit with him.
Advanced Flight Training in the North American AT-6 followed Basic, and while a few more fell by the wayside, most cadets persisted. Eglin Army Air Field in Florida was used for gunnery training.
"I reached ‘expert’ in aerial gunnery, but did not achieve that level of accomplishment with the 45 caliber handgun."
The lessons were direct omens of the missions which lay ahead and underscored the importance of mastering each skill needed for survival. Charles was doing well.
On April 15, 1943, the 99th finally shipped out to join the war in North Africa. It was a proud day for everyone at the Air Field. The cadets were filled with new confidence their hopes would become a reality.
Addressing the departing fliers, Base Commander Parrish observed, "You are fighting men now. Your future is now being handed into your own hands. Your future, good or bad, will depend largely on how determined you are not to give satisfaction to those who would like to see you fail."
On 30 June, 1943, Charles was a graduating member of Class 43-F, TAAF, SE (Southeastern) Flying Training Command. He received his silver wings as a single engine pilot and was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Army Air Corp. Frances proudly pinned on his wings and Momma Nellie, who had come down for the special occasion, beamed through the ceremony. Eyes were moist. That day was unforgettable!
There was unmistakable satisfaction in Dad's voice as he recalled the event. Over fifty years later, I relived it with him and shared the feelings of accomplishment it represented.
Most families remained behind in the heart of Alabama, while newly commissioned officers left for the final phase of their preparation, Combat Training at Selfridge Army Air Field in Mt. Clemmons, Michigan. Now pilots, they had to go beyond to become fighter pilots. At Selfridge, three squadrons, the 100th, 301st, and 302nd , Charles' unit, were brought together to form the 332nd Fighter Group. They began training under Col. Robert Selway, later relieved by Lt. Colonel B. O. Davis Jr., who had returned from battle in North Africa where he commanded the 99th Pursuit Squadron. Davis' presence evoked an allegiance not matched by any other commanding officer. All the pilots knew of his story. His father, B. O. Sr., was the first black general in military service in this country and B. O. Jr. was a graduate of West Point. They heard of the intense hazing he had endured at the hands of all-white counterparts at the Academy. He had been sentenced to exile in a world of silence during his four years there. Now, combat experienced, it was his job to mold the men of the 332nd into fighter pilots ready to go up against Germany's finest aerial combatants. Charles and the other men had great admiration for Davis.
The training in Michigan focused on combat readiness. The pilots learned about various weapons and combat strategies. The final challenges to surmount included gunnery, formation and night flying, and combat tactics.
By October the pilots were fully combat ready in the P-40L and the P-40N. That’s when the decision was made for the group to fly the Bell P-39Q. It had the engine in the back and less horsepower than the P-40. In their enthusiasm, the pilots didn’t complain. "If the crew chief can start it, then I can fly it," was their attitude.
As soon as circumstances permitted, Frances moved to Michigan. Once again they found a small room. Charles bought their first car, a Hudson Terraplane, and taught her to drive in Detroit.
Their time together ran out on December 22, 1943. Charles now faced the ultimate test. Three days before Christmas, his unit embarked by train to Fort Patrick Henry near Hampton Roads, Virginia. After several more days of waiting, he boarded the T. B. Robinson which joined the convoy of Liberty Ships departing the evening of January 2, 1944. For reasons of military secrecy, their destination was not divulged even to those being transported.
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