Thomas Ellis (Tuskegee Airman)
Sgt. Major Thomas Ellis (June 29, 1920 - January 2, 2018) from San Antonio, Texas, was a member of the famed group of World War II-era African-Americans known as the Tuskegee Airmen. He was a recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal in 2007.[3] Thomas Ellis served in the 301st Fighter Squadron, and the 332nd Fighter Group During WWII.[4]
Thomas Ellis | |
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Thomas Ellis 1944 | |
Birth name | Thomas Marvin Ellis |
Born | June 29, 1920 |
Died | January 2, 2018 97) San Antonio, Texas | (aged
Buried | |
Allegiance | United States |
Service/ | United States Army Air Force |
Years of service | 1942-1945 |
Rank | Sergeant Major[2] |
Unit | |
Awards |
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Spouse(s) | Janie |
Military service
World War II
He was drafted into the Army in June 1942 [1] and was sent to basic training in Newport News, VA and in October of 1942 he was assigned to Tuskegee with the 99th Fighter Squadron.[4] When Ellis arrived at Tuskegee Army Airfield in 1942 he was the only member 301st Fighter Squadron.[1] In 1944 he was sent to Ramitelli Air Base in Italy with the Tuskegee Airmen 301st Fighter Squadron. He was an administrator and served under Col. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. with the 332nd Fighter Group’s transfer to Taranto Italy.[4] He achieved the rank of Sergeant Major, and earned seven battle stars.[1][2] He was discharged in September, 1945.[4]
Awards
- Congressional Gold Medal (2007)[3]
- Battle Stars (7)
Education
- Wheatley High School[1]
- Huston-Tillotson University[1]
Personal life
Ellis grew up in San Antonio, Texas and graduated from Wheatley High School He attended Samuel Huston College in Austin. He was drafted into the Army in 1942.[1] He married his wife Janie just 6 months before he was drafted in 1942. When he returned from the war he worked as a USPS mail carrier until his retirement in 1984.[4] He died of a stroke January 2, 2018 and was buried at Fort Sam Houston with Full military honors.[2]
Further reading
- The Tuskegee Airmen: An Illustrated History, 1939-1949[6]
References
- Christensen, Sig (January 9, 2018). "Thomas Ellis, a Tuskegee Airman, is dead at 97". Hearst Communications, Inc. My San Antonio News. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- Fannin, John (January 10, 2018). "Remembering Tuskegee Airman Thomas Ellis". Military Times. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- Rangel, Charles B. (April 11, 2006). "Tuskegee Airmen Gold Medal Signed Into Law". Press Release. United States House of Representatives. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
- "Thomas Marvin Ellis". CAF Rise Above. CAF Rise Above. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
- Rice, Markus. "The Men and Their Airplanes: The Fighters." Tuskegee Airmen, 1 March 2000.
- Caver, Joseph; Ennels, Jerome A.; Haulman, Daniel Lee (2011). The Tuskegee Airmen: An Illustrated History, 1939-1949. Montgomery: New South Books. p. 394. ISBN 978-1588382443. Retrieved February 6, 2020.
Notes
- The red markings that distinguished the Tuskegee Airmen included red bands on the noses of P-51s as well as a red rudder; their P-51B and D Mustangs flew with similar color schemes, with red propeller spinners, yellow wing bands and all-red tail surfaces.[5]
External links
- Tuskegee Airmen at Tuskegee University
- Tuskegee Airmen Archives at the University of California, Riverside Libraries.
- Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.
- Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)
- Tuskegee Airmen National Museum
- Fly (2009 play about the 332d Fighter Group)