for the Open House Holiday Party, December 22, 2012, at the NASFL Museum !
We enjoyed good company, good food and music ! See you next year !
Thank you to all the members, volunteers and visitors that joined us for the Open House Holiday Party, December 22, 2012, at the NASFL Museum ! We enjoyed good company, good food and music ! See you next year !
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Members of the NASFL Museum attended the "World Wide D-Day School picnic for Peace & Freedom Event" at the campus of the Cooper City Elementary School on June 6. This event was held across the world, for students to honor veterans of WWII. Among this group of veterans are Museum members George Lord, Leo Gray & Paul Bradley.
Lt. Col. Leo R. Gray's life and achievements have been an inspiration to many. He made significant contributions to the United States throughout his military and civilian careers. Lt.Col. Gray was a formidable Speaker at the Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale Museum Luncheon. He talked about his life during WWII and about his challenges and experiences as part of the Tuskegee Airmen, who were the first African American military aviators in the United States Armed Forces. During World War II, African Americans in many U.S. states still were subject to the Jim Crow laws. The American military was racially segregated, as was much of the federal government. The Tuskegee Airmen were subject to discrimination, both within and outside the army. Despite these adversities, they trained at Tuskegee Army Air field in Macon County, Alabama, and flew with distinction. Primarily made up of African Americans, there were also five Tuskegee Airmen that were of Haitian descent. Soon after high school graduation, Lieutenant Colonel Gray joined the Army Air Corps and began his aviation cadet training in 1943. Little more than a year later he graduated from the Tuskegee Army Air field as a Second Lieutenant, single engine pilot. While stationed in Italy as a fighter pilot, Gray flew 15 combat missions in P-51 Mustangs, for a total of 750 hours flying time. He left active duty in 1946, but remained in the USAF Reserves until 1984. During his 41 years of military service, Lieutenant Colonel Gray earned an Air Medal with one Oak Leaf cluster, and a Presidential Unit Citation. Lt. Col. Leo R. Gray passed away September 23, 2016. Tuskegee Airmen Combat Records: The Tuskegee Airmen compiled the following combat records: One Destroyer damaged beyond repair.- It was not sunk as had been previously reported. The USAF reports that 27 bombers were lost while being escorted by the Red Tail pilots.They flew a total of 179 bomber escort missions.
Awarded for valor and performance included:
- Click on thumbnails to enlarge and read descriptions -
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Naval Air Station Fort Lauderdale MuseumNational Register of Historic Places. A Florida Heritage Site. Only remaining structure from WWII left on the naval base property. Home of Flight 19 one of the great aviation mysteries. A 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization. The Only Military Museum in Broward County. Support the Museum at Amazon
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