Vernon V. Haywood

Vernon V. Haywood (October 24, 1920 – April 14, 2003) was a U.S. Army Air Force officer, combat fighter pilot/jet pilot, and commanding officer of the 332nd Fighter Group's 302nd Fighter Squadron, a component of the Tuskegee Airmen.

Haywood was one of the U.S. Air Force's first African American jet pilots and first African American jet instructors, sharing these two honors with three other African American officers. In 1993, the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame inducted Haywood into its Hall of Fame.

Early life Haywood was born on October 24, 1920, in Raleigh, North Carolina He attended Hampton, Virginia's Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) where he obtained his private pilot's license through its 40-hour-flying-hour Civilian Pilot Training Program.

The U.S. Army Air Corps assigned Haywood to the 332nd Fighter Group. In December 1943, U.S. Army Air Corps moved Haywood from Michigan's Selfridge Field to Italy. After serving as Flight Commander and the Operations Officer, he eventually became the 302nd Fighter Squadron's commanding officer.

During one mission, Haywood and his squadron were mistakenly fired upon by British gunners as they flew back to base after a patrol mission on the coast of Italy.

After World War II, Haywood became Tuskegee Air Field Instrument School's Assistant Director. In his entire military career, Haywood logged over 6,000 fighter hours. Distinguished Flying Cross

Death Haywood died on April 14, 2003. He was 82. He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery, plot Sec: 35, Site: 4597, in Arlington, Virginia, Arlington County, Virginia.