Tuskegee airman G. Hickman dies in Seattle at 88

[Major Nikon]

Source: Huffington Post

SEATTLE — George Hickman, one of the original Tuskegee airmen and a longtime usher at University of Washington and Seattle Seahawks games, has died at age 88.

His wife, Doris, confirmed Monday that he died early Sunday morning in Seattle.

Hickman was one of the country's first black military pilots and ground crew members who fought in World War II.

In 2007, he and other Tuskegee airmen traveled to Washington, D.C., to receive the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor that Congress can give. In 2009, he attended President Barack Obama's inauguration as a special guest.

Read more: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20120820/us-obit-george-hickman/

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There's not many Tuskegee airmen left alive. The ones who are gone will be missed. The ones still here are national treasures.

[nolabear]

1. RIP, and many thanks to a pioneer.

What a fine piece of history he was.

[MADem]

2. Trailblazer. RIP. nt

[jody]

3. RIP to George Hickman Jr. who broke barriers as a flight mechanic in WWII supporting pilots

known as the famed Tuskegee Airmen.

Maintainers understand their role is to give pilots a perfectly functioning airplane which the pilot takes out for a mission and brings it back broke to repeat the cycle.

[skeewee08]

4. Thank you

For your service Mr. Hickman RIP

[gejohnston]

5. RIP

[Aristus]

6. At least two movies have been made about the Tuskeegee airmen.

A TV movie cleverly titled "The Tuskeegee Airmen", and this year's "Red Tails".

Both were sucktastic.

The real airmen deserve much better. I hope they get a good movie about them someday...

[Posteritatis]

12. I'm still boggled that they actually tried to whitewash the latter at first. (nt)

[jade3000]

7. RIP

[goclark]

8. Rest in peace ~ what a hero!

[Vidar]

9. Hats off to a fallen hero.

[freshwest]

10. RIP and thanks for serving and winning and overcoming everything.

[bushisanidiot]

11. Rest In Peace, brother. You were a TRUE patriot!

nt

[Ohio Joe]

13. RIP - nt

[ismnotwasm]

14. Thanks for posting

He was a good friend of husband's-- they used to work Huskey Stadium together, and kept in contact. His wife called us yesterday. It's hard to imagine a finer man.

[Major Nikon]

15. It's good to see someone here knew him

I've met some of the Tuskegee airmen at various airshows I've attended and never tire of their stories. I've always been impressed by the obstacles they overcame to do what they did and the great lengths they went to exemplify themselves.

[ismnotwasm]

16. Fun fact

He fell asleep at the awards ceremony dubya presided over giving the Congressional metal of Honor. We always had a giggle over that. He couldn't stand George W. Bush.