Alfred Gorham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lieutenant Colonel
Alfred M. Gorham
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2nd lieutenant Alfred Gorham in 1944
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| Born | 1920 Waukesha, Wisconsin |
| Died | 2009 |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Army Air Forces |
| Years of service | 1942-1946 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | 332nd Fighter Group |
| Commands held | 301st Fighter Squadron |
| Awards |
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2nd Lt. Alfred M. Gorham (1920–2009) was a Tuskegee Airman from Waukesha, Wisconsin. He was the only Tuskegee Airman from Wisconsin, and he was a prisoner of war after his plane went down over Munich, Germany in World War II.
Contents
Military service
After joining the Army Air Force in 1942 Gorham became a pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen. He graduated from the Tuskegee University February 8, 1944.
He saw action over Budapest Hungary and shot down two German Focke-Wulf 190 Fighters on August 3, 1944.
In 1945 his P-51 had engine trouble over Munich, Germany and he bailed out. He was captured and held by the Germans until the end of the war.
Awards
- Purple Heart
- Prisoner of War Medal
- Congressional Gold Medal awarded to Tuskegee Airmen in 2006
See also
- Executive Order 9981
- List of Tuskegee Airmen
- List of Tuskegee Airmen Cadet Pilot Graduation Classes
- Military history of African Americans
Personal life
After graduating from Waukesha High School in 1938 Gorham was accepted to Carroll College. However he took a job as a precision tool grinder. He later enlisted in the army and eventually he was accepted to the Tuskegee Airmen.
