James Clayton Flowers

First Lieutenant

James Clayton Flowers
Born (1915-12-25) December 25, 1915 (age 109)
Las Cruces, New Mexico, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service / branchUnited States Army Air Force
Years of service1940–1945
RankFirst Lieutenant
  • 1st Lieutenant (Army Air force)
Unit
Awards
Spouse(s)Evelyn Lorraine Flowers, 1919–2008 [1]
Other workTeacher in New York

James Clayton Flowers (born December 25, 1915) is an American retired military pilot who served with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II.

Early life

James Clayton Flowers was born on December 25, 1915[1] in Las Cruces, New Mexico.[2]

Military service

The Tuskegee Airmen's aircraft had distinctive markings that led to the name, "Red Tails."[N 1]

He was a pilot with the 99th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group for five years.[4]

Later life

After the war, he and his wife Evelyn started a family. Flowers worked as a school teacher in the New York School System. After retirement he and his wife relocated to New Mexico.[1] They had two children.[5] New Mexico held a ceremony to honor the Tuskegee Airmen in March 2014. Flowers was present for the dedication at the New Mexico Veterans' Memorial.[6] He turned 100 on December 25, 2015.[7]

Awards

  • Congressional Gold Medal awarded to the Tuskegee Airmen in 2006[8]

See also

Further reading

  • The Tuskegee Airmen: An Illustrated History, 1939-1949[9]
  • "Born to Fly the Skies." Weirton Daily Times (Weirton, W.Va.) 23 February 2013. Web. 17 January 2014.
  • "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Listing." Tuskegee University, 2014, Web. 17 January 2014.

References

  1. ^ a b "Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 61". congress.gov. Library of Congress. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  2. ^ Spearman, Warren (November 14, 2013). "In the presence of heroes, yesterday's and today's". holloman.af.mil. United States Air Force. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  3. ^ Rice, Markus. "The Men and Their Airplanes: The Fighters." Tuskegee Airmen, 1 March 2000.
  4. ^ Taylor, Spencer (September 1, 2019). "Veterans and friends honor Tuskegee Airman James Clayton Flowers in Las Cruces". Las Cruces Sun News. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  5. ^ Montero, Savannah (October 18, 2017). "Memorial concert at NMSU to honor local hero, Tuskegee Airman Williams". New Mexico State university. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  6. ^ "Tuskegee Airmen Honored at Event". Albuquerque Journal. March 28, 2014. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  7. ^ "Tuskegee Airman James Clayton Flowers turned 105 on Christmas Day". Las Cruces Sun News. Retrieved January 16, 2021.
  8. ^ Rangel, Charles B. (April 11, 2006). "Tuskegee Airmen Gold Medal Signed Into Law". Press Release. United States House of Representatives. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
  9. ^ Caver, Joseph; Ennels, Jerome A.; Haulman, Daniel Lee (2011). The Tuskegee Airmen: An Illustrated History, 1939-1949. Montgomery: New South Books. p. 394. ISBN 978-1588382443. Retrieved February 6, 2020.

Notes

  1. ^ The red markings that distinguished the Tuskegee Airmen included red bands on the noses of P-51s as well as a red rudder; their P-51B and D Mustangs flew with similar color schemes, with red propeller spinners, yellow wing bands and all-red tail surfaces.[3]