'Top Guns' receive awards at Tuskegee Airmen convention

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Amaani Lyle
  • 459th ARW Public Affairs Office
LAS VEGAS --  The National Tuskegee Airman Inc. president presented members of the historically-acclaimed 332nd Fighter Group awards during the 38th annual convention Aug. 6 through 9 here.

The honoring ceremony marked the 60th anniversary of the original "Top Guns" who claimed victory in the 1949 National Fighter Gunnery Competition at the then-Las Vegas Air Force Base, Nev., now Nellis Air Force Base.

Retired Lt. Col. James Harvey III, a former P-47 Thunderbolt pilot, and retired Chief Master Sgt. Buford Johnson, a former crew chief held replicas of the trophies they received decades ago. Both men from the 99th Fighter Squadron, stood before hundreds of spectators who cheered the veterans for their diligence in the face of the era's stinging racism.

National Tuskegee Airman Inc., President Russell Davis, a retired lieutenant general and former National Guard Bureau chief, presented the trophies. Nicole Wright presented a proclamation on behalf Rep. Shelley Berkley and Robert Sharp presented the award on behalf of Sen. Harry Reid. Vernice Armour, a former Marine Corps AH-1W SuperCobra helicopter pilot and America's first black female combat aviator, read a proclamation on behalf of Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman, officially marking this Tuskegee Airmen Week in the desert city.

"It's a big team effort anytime you see folks in combat," Mr. Davis said. "It's not just about pilots, somebody needs to refuel the planes and fly the bombs over. And it's not just Air Force, today's fight is a joint fight."

Mr. Harvey, a 1944 Tuskegee Army Air Field Flying School graduate, spoke candidly of his humble upbringing and tenacity during a difficult time for people of color.

"We were a poor, but proud family," said the native of Montclair, N.J. "I always figured that I could do anything if given a chance. Attitude is the key in life."

Born in Longview, Texas, Sergeant Johnson advanced to the rank of corporal within three years.

In compliance with an Air Force chief of staff directive sent out to operational fighter groups across the continental U.S., the 1949 competition determined the best fighter group and individual pilots. Capt. Alva Temple, Lt. Harry Stewart, Lt. Halbert Alexander and Lieutenant Harvey made up the Tuskegee Airmen team. They were atop the leader board and Captain Temple took second place in the top individual honors category.

The National Tuskegee Airman Inc. a is nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring the accomplishments of African Americans who participated in aircrew, ground crew and operations support in the Army Air Corps during World War II.