Sherman W. White

Sherman Windham White Jr. (October 17, 1919 – July 2, 1943)) was a U.S. Army Air Force officer and combat fighter pilot with the all-African American 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Fighter Squadron, best known as the Tuskegee Airmen.

One of the United States military first combat fighter pilots, White was the first African American U.S. military combat fighter pilot killed during an aerial combat mission.

Early life and education Sherman Windham White, Jr. was born on October 17, 1919, in Macon, Mississippi, Noxubee County. He was the son of Sherman White Sr. and Nettie White, both middle-class grammar school teachers in Elmore, Alabama.

Military service, Tuskegee Airmen In 1941, White left the University of Chicago after being admitted to the U.S. Army Air Corps's aviation program at the Tuskegee Army Air Field in Tuskegee, Alabama. On May 20, 1942, White graduated as a member of Tuskegee aviation's 3rd ever Single Engine Section Cadet Class SE-42-E, receiving his wings and a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. Graduating Cadet Class - Single Engine Section - SE-42-E. White was assigned to the 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Fighter Squadron which was declared combat-ready on September 15, 1942. On April 24, 1943, White and the 99th Fighter Squadron were deployed in North Africa.

Death On July 2, 1943, White and the 99th Fighter Squadron flew in a 48-plane escort mission to protect twelve B-25 bombers en route to a German Luftwaffe base in Sicily. Mediterranean.

Unit assignments 1941–1942, AAF MOS 770, Aviation Cadet Flight School, Tuskegee AAF According to the 99th Fighter Squadron's MACR, there is no evidence that White and McCullin collided in Tunisia. In 1946, the all-white Civitan International of Montgomery, Alabama invited all next-of-kin to a memorial to honor Montgomery County, Alabama citizens who lost their lives during World War II. When White's parents' arrived, they were refused seating based on their race. The Whites left before the ceremony began. Several weeks later a Civitan leader made a private apology to the Whites. No public apology was ever made. In 2004, the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce Historical Preservation and Promotion Foundation & the Alabama Historical Association erected a historical marker at the intersection of West Jeff Davis Avenue and Adeline Street, near White's childhood home, 694 West Jeff Davis Avenue, Montgomery, Alabama, in Montgomery County - 32° 21.972′ N, 86° 19.173′ W.