Charles W. Dryden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles W. Dryden
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Charles Dryden (seated) aboard USS San Antonio
(May 2006) |
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| Nickname(s) | "A-TRAIN" |
| Born | September 16, 1920 New York City, New York |
| Died | June 24, 2008 (aged 87) Atlanta, Georgia |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame inductee |
| Spouse(s) | Marymal Morgan Dryden Irma “Pete” Dryden |
| Children | Charles a.k.a. Thumper Dryden, Keith Dryden, Eric Dryden, George Bingham, Kenneth Bingham, Tony Bingham, Cornelia-Rose White |
Charles Walter Dryden (September 16, 1920 – June 24, 2008) was a brave American pilot. He was one of the first African American combat fighter pilots in the U.S. Army Air Forces. He was part of the famous Tuskegee Airmen, a group of African American military pilots who fought in World War II.
Dryden was one of the first eight African American fighter pilots in U.S. history. He was also one of the first to fly in aerial combat against enemy planes. He later wrote a book about his experiences called A-Train: Memoirs of a Tuskegee Airman.
Contents
Growing Up and Family Life
Charles Dryden was born in New York City on September 16, 1920. His parents, Violet and Charles Dryden, were both teachers. They had moved to the U.S. from Jamaica. His father had served in the Jamaican military during World War I.
Charles went to Stitt Junior High School, where he was the class president. He also attended Stuyvesant High School and graduated in 1938.
Dryden was married twice. With his first wife, Irma Dryden, he had three sons. He also had three stepsons and a stepdaughter with his second wife, Marymal Morgan Dryden.
Serving in the Military: The Tuskegee Airmen
In August 1941, Dryden joined the U.S. Army Air Corps. He began his pilot training at the Tuskegee Army Flying School in Tuskegee, Alabama. On April 29, 1942, he completed his training. He earned his pilot wings and became a 2nd Lieutenant.
Dryden and two other graduates, Sidney P. Brooks and Clarence C. Jamison, became the first eight African American combat fighter pilots. He was then assigned to the 99th Fighter Squadron. This squadron later joined the 332nd Fighter Group. Dryden earned his nickname "A-Train" from the famous song by band leader Duke Ellington. He even named his P-40 Tomahawk airplane "A-Train."
World War II Missions
During World War II, Dryden and his squadron flew many important missions. They flew combat patrols and protected bomber planes in North Africa and the Mediterranean Theater. This included places like Italy and Sicily.
On June 9, 1943, Dryden led a group of six pilots. They fought against enemy fighter planes over Pantelleria, Sicily. This was a historic moment. It was the first time African American pilots of the U.S. Army Air Corps fought enemy aircraft in combat.
Challenges and Retirement
After his combat missions, Dryden was sent back to the United States. He was stationed in Walterboro, South Carolina. There, he and other African American officers noticed something unfair. German prisoners-of-war on the base had more freedom than African American soldiers. The base was racially segregated.
Dryden and others felt this was wrong. He performed a low-level flight maneuver over the base to show his protest. Because of this, he faced a military trial.
After World War II, Dryden became a professor of Air Science at Howard University. He served 21 years in the U.S. military. He flew as a reconnaissance pilot in Korea and was stationed in Japan, Germany, and several U.S. bases.
In 1962, he retired from the U.S. Air Force. He held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He had flown over 4,000 hours during his military career.
Life After the Military
After retiring, Charles Dryden continued his education. In 1955, he earned a degree in political science from Hofstra University. He also earned a master's degree in public law and government from Columbia University.
He served as a director for the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame. In 1998, he was honored by being inducted into the Hall of Fame himself.
In 1997, he published his autobiography, "A-Train: Memoirs of a Tuskegee Airman."
Honors and Recognition
- In 1996, Hofstra University gave Dryden an honorary doctorate degree.
- In 1997, the Georgia Secretary of State, Max Cleland, named Dryden an "Outstanding Georgia Citizen."
Death and Legacy
Charles Dryden passed away from natural causes on June 24, 2008, in Atlanta, Georgia. He was 87 years old. Former Atlanta mayor and U.S. ambassador Andrew Young spoke at Dryden's funeral.
Dryden was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. His life showed great courage and helped break down racial barriers in the military.
Images for kids
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Plaque of Dryden at the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame
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Painting at the Museum of Aviation
See also
- List of Tuskegee Airmen Cadet Pilot Graduation Classes
- List of Tuskegee Airmen
- Military history of African Americans
- Dogfights (TV series)
- Executive Order 9981
- The Tuskegee Airmen (movie)
