Legendary pilot visits Kadena

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Rey Ramon
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFPN) --  A surviving pilot of a legendary aviator group of determined black men at the forefront of historic social change during World War II spoke Feb. 25 at the Rocker NCO Club here.

Retired Lt. Col. Charles Dryden was one of 992 Tuskegee Airmen who answered the call to serve his country when blacks were not equally accepted by their white counterparts.

Since Colonel Dryden's retirement in 1962, he has taken his message about America's changes through history to military members and civilians worldwide.

Despite segregation, discrimination and racism in the armed forces, he possessed a strong personal desire to fulfill his dreams and earn his wings at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama.

"Many of us feel we have an obligation to inform as many people as possible," Colonel Dryden said. "They need to know about this very important part of American history from our own experiences."

Colonel Dryden flew a P-40F Curtiss Warhawk, nicknamed the "A-Train," and was the first pilot to engage German planes during the invasion of Sicily, Italy. His aircraft was maintained by a relative of a Kadena Air Base NCO.

"I was so excited to see Colonel Dryden because my grandfather was his crew chief during World War II," said Master Sgt. Jonathan Curl, the 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron traffic management superintendent. "It was a way to touch my grandfather again."

The colonel said despite the racial tensions in the military and in society at large, the Tuskegee Airmen were determined to prove their love for their country. He reminded the audience that many Americans thought this pioneering group of black Airmen lacked the intelligence, skill and psychological characteristics to make effective pilots.

But the Tuskegee Airmen proved them all wrong. They successfully fought two wars --one against enemy forces overseas and the other against segregation at home and within the ranks.

"This was the greatest obstacle we had to overcome," he said.

The Tuskegee Airmen's exemplary record of accomplishments helped propel the United States toward racial integration. 

According to the official Web site of the Tuskegee Airmen, the "Red Tails" of the 332nd Fighter Group flew more than 15,000 combat sorties, shot down 111 German airplanes and destroyed another 150 on the ground, destroyed 950 railcars, trucks and other motor vehicles and even sunk a German destroyer using machine gun fire from a P-47. More importantly, they proved that patriotism, intelligence and ability were not tied to the color of a person's skin.

The real meaning for America's existence is "change," he said. The nation keeps evolving and getting better.

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