Curtis C. Robinson

Curtis Christopher Robinson (August 25, 1919 – October 12, 2009) was an American pharmacist and U.S. Army Air Force officer. He served as a fighter pilot during World War II with the 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Fighter Squadron, a component of the Tuskegee Airmen.

Robinson and his two older brothers were the first African-Americans from one family to become commissioned U.S. military officers.

Early life and education Robinson was born on August 25, 1919, in Orangeburg, South Carolina. One of six children, Robinson was the son of college graduates and school teachers.

After graduating from Claflin College in 1940, Robinson became a school teacher in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, where he taught geography, mathematics, history and general science.

Pharmaceutical career In 1947, Robinson relocated to Washington, D.C., with his pregnant wife to work at the National Security Agency. In January 2008, Robinson closed the last of his six pharmacies.

Robinson and his family lived in the Hillcrest community of Washington, D.C.

Honors In 2003, Howard University School of Pharmacy awarded Robinson its Howard University School of Pharmacy achievement award. In 2004, Claflin University inducted Robinson into its Hall of Fame. In 2006 the Tuskegee Airmen were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.

Death Robinson died on October 12, 2009, in Washington, D.C. He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery, plot sec: 4, Site: 2715-A, in Arlington, Virginia, Arlington County.