Thomas Ellis (Tuskegee Airman)

Sergeant Major

Thomas Ellis
Thomas Ellis 1944
Birth nameThomas Marvin Ellis
Born(1920-06-29)June 29, 1920
DiedJanuary 2, 2018(2018-01-02) (aged 97)
San Antonio, Texas
Buried
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery[1]
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service / branchUnited States Army Air Force
Years of service1942–1945
RankSergeant Major[2]
Unit
Awards
Spouse(s)Janie

Sgt. Major Thomas Ellis (June 29, 1920 – January 2, 2018) from San Antonio, Texas, was a member of the famed group of World War II-era African-Americans known as the Tuskegee Airmen. He served in the 301st Fighter Squadron and the 332nd Fighter Group during WWII.

Early life and education

Ellis grew up in San Antonio, Texas and graduated from Wheatley High School He attended Samuel Huston College in Austin. He married his wife Janie in early 1942.[1]

Military service

The Tuskegee Airmen's aircraft had distinctive markings that led to the name, "Red Tails."[N 1]
P-51C Mustang fighters from the 332nd Fighter Group at Ramitelli Airfield, with goats (March 1945)

He was drafted into the Army in June 1942[1] and was sent to basic training in Newport News, VA and in October 1942 he was assigned to Tuskegee with the 99th Fighter Squadron.[4] When Ellis arrived at Tuskegee Army Airfield in 1942 he was the only member 301st Fighter Squadron.[1] In 1944 he was sent to Ramitelli Air Base in Italy with the Tuskegee Airmen 301st Fighter Squadron. He was an administrator and served under Colonel Benjamin O. Davis Jr. with the 332nd Fighter Group's transfer to Taranto, Italy.[4] He achieved the rank of sergeant major and earned seven battle stars.[1][2] He was discharged in September 1945.[4]

Later life

When he returned from the war he worked as a USPS mail carrier until his retirement in 1984.[4] He died of a stroke January 2, 2018, and was buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.[2]

Awards

See also

Further reading

  • The Tuskegee Airmen: An Illustrated History, 1939–1949[6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Christensen, Sig (January 9, 2018). "Thomas Ellis, a Tuskegee Airman, is dead at 97". My San Antonio News. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  2. ^ a b c Fannin, John (January 10, 2018). "Remembering Tuskegee Airman Thomas Ellis". Military Times. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  3. ^ Rice, Markus. "The Men and Their Airplanes: The Fighters." Tuskegee Airmen, March 1, 2000.
  4. ^ a b c d "Thomas Marvin Ellis". CAF Rise Above. November 27, 2018. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  5. ^ Rangel, Charles B. (April 11, 2006). "Tuskegee Airmen Gold Medal Signed into Law". Press Release. United States House of Representatives. Retrieved November 26, 2008.
  6. ^ 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]