August Harvey Martin facts for kids

August Harvey Martin (born August 31, 1919 – died July 30, 1968) was an amazing American pilot. He was one of the brave Tuskegee Airmen. In 1955, he made history. He became the first African American to be a Captain for a major airline. This also made him the first Black airline pilot in the United States.

Early Life and Flight Training

August "Augie" Harvey Martin was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1919. His mother was a teacher. She taught him at home until he was 13 years old. In 1938, his family moved to New York. He graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx.

Later, Augie moved back to California. He went to San Mateo Junior College. During this time, he paid for his first flying lessons. He flew a plane by himself for the first time in January 1940. He continued his flight training. He joined the University of California Civilian Pilot Training Programme. He also earned a rating to teach others how to fly.

In 1942, he worked for the Navy V-12 Programme. This was at Cornell University. Then, in 1943, he joined the U.S. Army Air Corps.

Becoming a Tuskegee Airman

Augie Martin was sent to Tuskegee, Alabama for special flight training. This was where the famous Tuskegee Airmen trained. These were African American military pilots. They flew during World War II. He earned his pilot's wings in September 1945.

He left the military in 1946. He wanted to become a commercial airline pilot. However, it was very hard for African Americans to get these jobs back then. He worked many different jobs to support his family. These included aircraft maintenance and part-time flying.

Breaking Barriers in Commercial Aviation

In 1955, August Martin finally got his big chance. He was hired by Seaboard World Airlines. He became a Captain there. This made him the first African American to hold such a high position. He was the first Black Captain for a scheduled U.S. airline.

He helped start an organization called Negro Airmen International in 1967. During his time with Seaboard, he flew many different types of planes. These included the DC-3, DC-4, Lockheed Constellation, and Canadair CL-44.

Humanitarian Missions and Legacy

Captain Martin used his flying skills to help people. He often flew humanitarian aid missions to Africa. These were flights to deliver food and supplies to people in need.

On July 30, 1968, he was on leave from Seaboard World Airlines. He volunteered to fly food and relief supplies. This was a mercy mission to Biafra. Biafra was a place in Africa. It was suffering during the Nigerian Civil War. People there were starving.

Captain Martin was trying to land his Lockheed L‑1049G Super Constellation plane. He was landing on a jungle airstrip called Uli. It was night, and there was a tropical storm. Sadly, his plane crashed. Captain Martin was killed in the accident. His wife, Gladys Frank Riddle Martin, also died. Two representatives from the International Red Cross were also killed.

August Martin is remembered for his bravery and his pioneering spirit. A high school in South Jamaica, New York is named after him. It is called the August Martin High School. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also published a book about him. It was for minority children.