Herman A. Lawson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Herman A. Lawson
|
|
|---|---|
Herman A. Lawson and his aircraft WWII era photograph
|
|
| Birth name | Herman Albert Lawson |
| Nickname(s) | Ace |
| Born | December 4, 1916 Fowler, California, U.S. |
| Died | April 9, 1995 (aged 78) Sacramento, California, U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army Air Forces |
| Rank | Major |
| Unit | 99th Pursuit Squadron, 332nd Division, Tuskegee Airmen |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
| Awards | |
Herman Albert "Ace" Lawson (December 24, 1916 – May 9, 1995) was an American hero. He was a brave fighter pilot, a skilled football player, and later helped his community as a city councilman in Sacramento, California.
Lawson was part of the famous Tuskegee Airmen, also known as the "Red Tails." These were African American pilots who fought bravely during World War II. He was one of 1,007 pilots who trained at Tuskegee.
During the war, Lawson earned many important awards. These included the Silver Star, the Distinguished Service Cross, and the Distinguished Flying Cross. These awards recognized his amazing bravery and skill in the air.
Contents
Early Life and Sports Star
Herman Lawson was born on December 24, 1916, in Fowler, California. His parents were Herman and Frances Lawson.
He went to Marysville High School. There, he became known as "Ace" because he was an incredible football player.
After high school, Lawson joined the Civilian Conservation Corps. This was a program that helped young men find work during a tough economic time. Later, he attended Fresno State University. He was one of only three African American students there at the time.
At Fresno State, Lawson made history. He was the first African American to play four years of football for the university. He was also a talented athlete in other sports, including boxing, basketball, and track and field.
While at Fresno, Herman met Pearl Lee Johnson. They later married and had seven children together.
Lawson became very interested in flying after riding in an airplane with a friend. He worked hard and became one of the first African Americans in Northern California to earn a private pilot's license. He even built his own working gliders!
Becoming a Tuskegee Airman
While still a student, Lawson and his friends tried to join the U.S. Army Air Corps. At first, they were turned away because of their race. But Lawson didn't give up. He wrote letters to Congress and even to First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, who was known for supporting African American causes.
Soon after, Lawson received an acceptance letter to flight school! He quickly left for Tuskegee Army Air Field in Tuskegee, Alabama, where the famous Tuskegee Airmen trained.
Lawson became part of the 99th Fighter Squadron. This was a group of brave pilots who flew combat missions during World War II. He flew 133 missions in Europe, covering many countries like Greece, Germany, and France. He flew different types of planes, including the P-40, P-47, and P-51.
He even survived two engine failures while flying his P-40s! One time, his plane landed him in the Mediterranean Sea. Lawson named two of his planes "Ace of Pearls" in honor of his wife, Pearl.
On September 22, 1944, Lawson led his squadron to protect B-17 bombers on a mission over Germany. One of his squadron pilots, Flight Officer Leonard R. Willette, had trouble with his plane and crashed.
After his time fighting in Europe, Lawson returned to Tuskegee to teach other pilots. He stayed in the military for 25 years, retiring as a Major.
Awards and Honors
Herman Lawson received several high honors for his service:
- Congressional Gold Medal (awarded in 2007)
- Distinguished Service Cross
- Silver Star
Life After the Military
After leaving the military, Lawson worked for the State of California for 20 years. In 1973, he was chosen to be a city councilman for Sacramento, California. He served the people of District 2, which included several neighborhoods in northeastern Sacramento.
Later Years
Herman Lawson passed away on May 9, 1995, in Sacramento, California, at the age of 78. He was buried at the Sunset Lawn Chapel of the Chimes Memorial Park.
See also
- Tuskegee Airmen
- 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)
