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James Clayton Flowers

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First Lieutenant

James Clayton Flowers
Born (1915-12-25) December 25, 1915 (age 108)
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

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

Military service

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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

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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

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

See also

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Further reading

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  • 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

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  1. ^ a b "Congressional Record Vol. 165, No. 61". congress.gov. Library of Congress. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  2. ^ Spearman, Warren. "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

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  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]
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