James B. Knighten facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James B. Knighten
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James Bernard Knighten
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| Born | December 11, 1919 |
| Died | November 9, 2000 (aged 80) |
| Other names | Jay Bernard |
| Occupation | Fighter pilot, comedian |
| Known for | Tuskegee Airmen |
| Spouse(s) | Luana Knighten, Barbara Knighten |
| Children | 4 |
| Awards | Congressional Gold Medal awarded to the Tuskegee Airmen |
James Bernard Knighten (born December 11, 1919 – died November 9, 2000) was an important American pilot. He was one of the first twelve African Americans to become a pilot in the United States Army Air Corps. He trained at the Tuskegee Army Air Field.
Knighten became a member of the famous 99th Fighter Squadron. This group was part of the Tuskegee Airmen, a highly honored group of African-American aviators during World War II. He flew in the first combat mission by African American pilots on June 9, 1943. Knighten continued his military career through the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
After leaving the military in 1968, he worked for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for 20 years. He was an operations inspector in New York and later in Los Angeles. James Knighten was known for being a jokester during his military career. He later became a stand-up comedian in Las Vegas, using the name Jay Bernard. He performed full-time after retiring from the FAA.
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About James Knighten
Early Life and Education
James Knighten was born on December 11, 1919, in Tulsa, Oklahoma. When he was 14, his father, who was a bricklayer, moved the family to St. Louis. In St. Louis, James went to and graduated from Charles Sumner High School.
After high school, he went to Dillard University in New Orleans. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in social science from there. On May 11, 1938, he joined the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity.
Military Service
After college, Knighten worked as a waiter on the Santa Fe Railroad. In 1941, he heard that African American cadets would be allowed into a new pilot training program. This was a first in U.S. history. He had already been accepted into law school and a seminary, but he decided to apply for the Army Air Corps program too.
He chose to join the Army Air Corps instead of being drafted into another service. He became one of the cadets in class 42-E-SE. This was the third group chosen during the first year African American cadets were allowed. He trained at the new Tuskegee Army Air Field. On May 20, 1942, he graduated as one of the first 12 African American military pilots in U.S. history.
After graduating, Knighten became a 2nd lieutenant. He was assigned to the 99th Fighter Squadron. In April 1943, the 99th Fighter Squadron showed great skill in missions over North Africa and later Italy. Knighten flew 81 missions during World War II. This included the first combat mission by African American pilots on June 9, 1943. He earned the nickname "The Eel" because of his amazing flying skills. He even crash-landed once but was not hurt. By the end of World War II, he received the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters.
After World War II, Knighten stayed in the military. The Army Air Corps later became the United States Air Force. He served bravely in both the Korean War and the Vietnam War. By the end of his career, he had reached the rank of lieutenant colonel. Knighten retired from military duty in 1968.
Family Life
Knighten married his first wife, Luana Knighten, around 1944. Luana was an actress. She sadly passed away in 1956 from a heart attack. She and James had two daughters together.
Soon after Luana's death, he met and married his second wife, Barbara. They spent the rest of his life together and had two more daughters.
Working for the FAA
After retiring from the military in 1968, Knighten started working for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He was an operations inspector in New York. Later, he moved to Los Angeles for his job. He worked for the FAA for 20 years in total.
Comedy Career
James Knighten was known as a funny person among his fellow officers in the 99th Fighter Squadron. As early as 1955, he started performing stand-up comedy sometimes in clubs in Manhattan and Trenton, New Jersey.
After he retired from the FAA, Knighten began a full-time career as a comedian. For the next 20 years, he was an opening act at many resorts in the Las Vegas area. These included the Debbie Reynolds Hollywood Hotel, the Gold Coast Hotel and Casino, and Palace Station.
Later Years and Legacy
Death
James Knighten passed away from heart failure on November 9, 2000. He was 80 years old and died in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Legacy
- The James B. Knighten Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. was started in Las Vegas in 1999. It was named in his honor.
- A play called Tuskegee Love Letters was written. It was based on the letters between Knighten and his first wife during World War II.
- Knighten's important contributions to aviation are remembered in the Black Americans in Flight mural. This mural is at the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport. It opened on August 13, 1990.
Awards
- Air Medal with two Oak clusters
- Congressional Gold Medal awarded to Tuskegee Airmen in 2006
- Mobile, Alabama Patriot Award
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)
