Legendary pilot pays a visit to Kadena

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Rey Ramon
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  A surviving pilot of a legendary aviator group of determined black men at the forefront of historic social change during World War II spoke at the Rocker NCO Club here March 3.

Retired Lt. Col. Charles W. 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.

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," said Colonel Dryden. "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 'A-Train' and was the first pilot to engage German planes during the invasion of Sicily. His aircraft was maintained by a relative of a Kadena 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, 18th Logistics Readiness Squadron traffic management superintendent. "It was a way to touch my grandfather again."

The colonel said that 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 added.

The Tuskegee Airmen's exemplary record of accomplishments helped propel the United States toward racial integration. According to the official website of the Tuskegee Airmen, the "Red Tails" of the 332nd Fighter Group flew over 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.

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

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

"We are the land of the free and the home of the brave," said the colonel.