Raymond Cassagnol

Raymond Cassagnol (September 20, 1920 – June 24, 2023) was a Haitian Air Force officer/flight instructor, alleged Haitian rebel leader, and one of the first Haitian Tuskegee Airmen, "Red Tails," or “Schwartze Vogelmenschen” ("Black Birdmen") or among enemy German pilots. Cassagnol was an aviation classmate and roommate of Daniel James Jr., the first-ever African American four-star general.

Cassagnol was Haiti's first World War II-trained combat fighter pilot in history. A centenarian, Cassagnol became the last surviving Haitian Tuskegee Airmen. He was also the author of the 2004 autobiographical "Mémoires d’un Révolutionaire", published in French.

An alleged Haitian rebel leader and fierce political opponent of former Haitian dictator François Duvalier, Cassagnol is noteworthy for flying a B-25 aircraft over Duvalier's National palace in May 1969 in an attempt to bomb it.

Early life and family Cassagnol was born on September 20, 1920, in U.S.-occupied Port au Prince, Haiti. Unable to afford college in Haiti, Cassagnol applied to the Haitian military.

On December 23, 1943, Cassagnol married his childhood sweetheart, Valentine Marie Therese Cassagnol (1921–2021) at the “Paroisse du Sacre Coeur” – Parish of the Sacred Heart. Valentine played a significant role in the founding of the Girl Scouts in Haiti (known there as the "Guides"). He regularly worked on Haiti's aircraft even after duty hours. Considered a high performer, Cassagnol began to attract the attention of pilot Dean Eshelman, provisional chief of Haiti's air squadron. One evening, Eshelman visited Bowen Airfield and noticed Cassagnol working overtime. When they asked him why he was working overtime, Cassagnol responded: "There is nothing else to do." They collectively became the first Haitians in history to train as combat fighter pilots. However, General Franck Lavaud denied Cassagnol's resignation on grounds that the Haitian public and Haiti's enemies could perceive Cassagnol's resignation as evidence of a significant rift in the Haitian armed forces.

In May 1969, Cassagnol flew a B-25 over Duvalier's National palace to bomb it.

Honors In April 2010, Cassagnol received a replica Congressional Gold Medal from Florida U.S. Representative Suzanne Kosmas at a special ceremony in his honor. On May 20, 2021, the New York General Assembly honored the contribution of Cassagnol and other Haitians for New York's Haitian Unity Day, in conjunction with its observance of Haitian Heritage Month.