Presentation Date: November 19, 2009
Tuskegee Airman
Lt. Col. William H. Holloman III U.S. Army (Ret.)
- Entered US Army in early 1943, graduated in Flight Training Class 44H at Tuskegee, AL.
- Assigned to 99th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group in Italy where he flew escort, strafing and sweep missions with the "Red Tails." Qualified in P-40's, P-51's, P-47's and P-39's.
- Returned to US and joined the Army Air Corps Reserve where he flew P-47's
- studied at St. Louis University when called back to active duty in SAC during Berlin Airlift - B-29's, B-50's at Travis AFB
- transferred to MATS at Travis AFB where he flew C-124's, C-54's, C-119's, and C-97's.
- transported wounded from Korea to the States during the Korean War.
- 1st Black helicopter pilot in USAF - trained at San Marcos, TX and joined Air Sea Rescue unit.
- Joined the US Army as a Warrant Officer pilot - promoted to CWO-2 and CWO-3
- called back to active duty as Major in 1966 for Vietnam where he commanded teh 268th Aviation Battallion at Tuy Hoa (4 assault helicopter companies flying UH-1D's with a platoon of UH-1C gunships per company.
- Replaced as CO by West Pointer and sent to Saigon as 1st Aviation Brigade HQ Safety Officer.
- Assigned to Augsburg, Germany as Safety Officer - promoted to Lt. Col.
- Retired after 30 years. - born St. Louis, MO 1924
- Entered US Army in early 1943, graduated in Flight Training Class 44H at Tuskegee, AL.
- Assigned to 99th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group in Italy where he flew escort, strafing and sweep missions with the "Red Tails." Qualified in P-40's, P-51's, P-47's and P-39's.
- Returned to US and joined the Army Air Corps Reserve where he flew P-47's
- studied at St. Louis University when called back to active duty in SAC during Berlin Airlift - B-29's, B-50's at Travis AFB
- transferred to MATS at Travis AFB where he flew C-124's, C-54's, C-119's, and C-97's.
- transported wounded from Korea to the States during the Korean War.
- 1st Black helicopter pilot in USAF - trained at San Marcos, TX and joined Air Sea Rescue unit.
- back in the reserves as a Captain - tried to find a job in the airlines without any luck, and then tried to rejoin the active Air Force.
- Joined the US Army as a Warrant Officer pilot - promoted to CWO-2 and CWO-3
- back to Captain and Major
- called back to active duty as Major in 1966 for Vietnam where he commanded teh 268th Aviation Battallion at Tuy Hoa (4 assault helicopter companies flying UH-1D's with a platoon of UH-1C gunships per company.
- Replaced as CO by West Pointer and sent to Saigon as 1st Aviation Brigade HQ Safety Officer.
- Assigned to Augsburg, Germany as Safety Officer - promoted to Lt. Col.
- Retired after 30 years.
- flew for Pacific Western Airlines in Canada and taught history as Professor at the University of Washington in Seattle.
- Has at least 1 daughter and 1 son.