2 Tuskegee Airmen die in Los Angeles at 91 on the same day

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Two members of the Tuskegee Airmen — the famed all-black squadron that flew in World War II — died on the same day. The men, lifelong friends who enlisted together, were 91.

Clarence E. Huntley Jr. and Joseph Shambrey died on Jan. 5 in their Los Angeles homes, relatives said Sunday.

Huntley and Shambrey enlisted in 1942. They were shipped overseas to Italy in 1944 with the 100th Fighter Squadron of the Army Air Force's 332nd Fighter Group. As mechanics, they kept the combat planes flying.

Huntley serviced P-39, P-47 and P-51 aircraft, and as crew chief was responsible for the plane of the squadron commander, Capt. Andrew D. Turner, said Huntley's nephew, Craig Huntly of Inglewood. "The life of his pilot was in his hands, and he took that very seriously," his nephew said.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20150111/us--obit-tuskegee_airmen-97bb31304e.html

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[olddad56]

1. Thank you both for your service and may your souls rest in peace.

[840high]

2. May they Rest in Peace. Heroes.

[lastlib]

3. I met one of the original Tuskegee Airmen five years ago.....

Col. Charles McGee, age 92 (looked/acted 65!) While talking to him, he asked me where I was from; when I told him Kansas City, I was surprised to learn that he had been base commander at an Air Force base that was near here, and also the chief administrator of our Municipal Airport! An amazing gentleman, and a national treasure! It was said that his squadron was such a fierce force in aerial combat that they never lost a bomber under their protection! Astonishing, considering the ferocity of the air battles over WWII Europe!

Sad to lose any of them! May these men rest in peace and know that they rendered their country a greater service than any of us will ever know.

[gademocrat7]

4. Courageous men.

May they rest in peace.

[jwirr]

5. May they rest in peace. True members of the Greatest Generation. Heroes.

[calimary]

6. Kick.

There was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen living at the local VA years ago. I had a chance to meet him. It was shortly after I'd attended a screening of the HBO film about those legendary aviators - a really wonderful movie. They had an outstanding safety record, btw. I had an extra Tuskegee Airmen t-shirt from the movie's promotion package, so I gave him one. It was really neat - to see the movie and then a few days later meet The Real Thing! Made you want to stand up straight and tall, throw your shoulders back, and suck in your gut.

[7962]

8. I bet! What a lucky break to meet one of the few. nt

[7962]

7. Bless them both. At least they knew they were appreciated by the time they died.

Sadly for those who died in the war or in the early years following, they never got to hear the country express our gratitude.

[Lithos]

9. National treasures

Anyone who fought is a treasure, but these men did so in a way which makes them stand out and shine.

L-

[denbot]

10. At ease Airmen.

Rest In Peace.

[sarge43]

11. CAVU, gentlemen and thank you. n/t

[Recursion]

12. Fair winds, zoomies