John Mosley facts for kids
John William Mosley Jr. (born June 21, 1921 – died May 22, 2015) was an amazing American hero. He was a talented American football player. He also became a brave bomber pilot in the U.S. Army Air Forces. He was part of the famous Tuskegee Airmen. John Mosley made history in many ways. He was the first African American to play football at Colorado State University. He was also one of the first African Americans trained as a bomber pilot during World War II.
Quick facts for kids
Lt. Col. John W. Mosley
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| Born | June 21, 1921 Denver, Colorado, U.S.
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| Died | May 22, 2015 (aged 93) |
| Alma mater | Colorado State University |
| Spouse(s) | Edna Wilson-Mosley |
John Mosley's Early Life
John William Mosley was born on June 21, 1921. His hometown was Denver, Colorado. His father was a settler from the Cripple Creek silver rush. John went to Whittier Elementary School. He also attended Cole Junior High School. Later, he went to Manual Training High School.
While at Manual High School, John played football. He also joined the wrestling team. He was a top student, becoming the valedictorian. He also won a special award called the National Merit Scholarship.
Breaking Barriers in Sports
Playing at Colorado State University
John W. Mosley finished Manual High School as a National Merit Scholar. He started college at the Agricultural College of Colorado in 1939. This school is now known as Colorado State University. At that time, only eight other African American students attended the college. None of them were allowed to live on campus.
Mosley wanted to play sports, especially football. He joined the football team in 1940. This made him the first African American on the football team at Colorado State University. He faced challenges from some white teammates. They tried to hit him hard to make him quit. But John was strong and determined. He even made good friends with two players, Dude Dent and Woody Fries.
In the same year, Mosley also joined the wrestling team. He became the first African American wrestler at Colorado State University. He was also the first African American to earn an athletic letter in CSU football history. John broke barriers outside of sports too. He was elected class vice president in both his junior and senior years.
Joining the Tuskegee Airmen
John Mosley always dreamed of being a pilot. He paid for his own flight lessons. He also paid for his own physical exam. In 1941, an all-Black fighter squadron was formed. It was called the 99th Fighter Squadron. This group is famously known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Mosley wanted to join them after he graduated from college.
After college, Mosley was drafted into the Army. He was sent to a separate Army Artillery unit. This was at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Even though he had a pilot's license, he wasn't sent to the Tuskegee Airmen. Mosley wrote many letters to leaders in the Army and in Washington, D.C. He asked to be moved to the Tuskegee Airmen.
His letters worked! He was finally reassigned. He trained as a bomber pilot. He was one of the first African Americans to do so. He served bravely in World War II. He earned the rank of Command Pilot. In 1946, he left the military for a short time. He earned his master's degree in Social Work. He got it from the University of Denver in 1948.
Soon after, he returned to the military. He fought in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. Mosley also flew during the Berlin Airlift. He retired from the Air Force in 1970. He had reached the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Fighting for Civil Rights
Mosley was a strong activist for equal rights. As a Tuskegee Airman, he fought for the right to serve. He helped integrate the military. This was a big part of the Civil Rights Movement. Mosley used his drive to fight for fairness. People often asked him why he wasn't angry. He believed in proving that he could help his country.
After his time as a Tuskegee Airman, John Mosley joined the U.S. government. He continued his work as a civil rights activist. He married his high school friend, Edna Wilson. They both worked hard in many groups. They helped the African American community gain equal rights.
John Mosley became a special assistant. He worked for the Department of Health and Human Services. He and Edna moved to Aurora, Colorado. His wife, Edna, made history too. She became the first African American woman on the Aurora city council. John worked in many roles. He was an Equal Opportunity Specialist. He also worked as a Staff Director.
John Mosley's Lasting Legacy
The John Mosley Student-Athlete Leadership Program
Many people at Colorado State University call John Mosley the Jackie Robinson of CSU sports. In 1998, Mosley was honored. He was put into the CSU Sports Hall of Fame. In 2009, he joined the Colorado Sports Hall of Fame. Lt. Col. John W. Mosley was CSU's first African American football player. He earned his degree from Colorado State in 1943. He was also an original Tuskegee Airman. He flew combat missions over Europe in World War II.
These great achievements led to a special program. It is a mentoring program named after him. It helps student-athletes. The John Mosley Mentoring Program started in 2011. It was a team effort by CSU's Athletics department. The university's Black/African American Cultural Center also helped.
The program helps students succeed. It aims to lower academic probation rates. It also helps more students graduate. It connects students with positive African American role models. These role models have succeeded in academics and sports. In 2014, the program changed its name. It became the John Mosley Leadership Program (JMLP). It focuses on four main ideas. These are self-exploration, community involvement, growth, and mentorship.
While at Colorado State A&M, Mosley was class vice president and treasurer. He tried out for the football team as a freshman. He became the first African American football player at CSU since 1906. Mosley also wrestled for Coach Hans Wagner. He became the first African American wrestler in school and state history. Mosley earned special honors in wrestling. In football, he earned a letter for three years. He was the first African American letter winner in CSU football history.
After retiring in 1970, Mosley kept leading. He spoke for Black athletes and the Tuskegee Airmen. Mosley received many awards. He got the Anti-Defamation League Torch of Liberty award. He also received an honorary doctorate from CSU. President Bush gave him the Congressional Gold Medal. John Mosley's memory continues to inspire students.
Mile High Flight Program Tuskegee Airmen Inc.
During World War II, John W. Mosley tried to join the Tuskegee Airmen. This group was more than a flight school. It was a huge source of motivation. It inspired young minorities to follow their dreams. Mosley and his flight crew encouraged many young people. They showed them they could achieve anything.
The John and Edna Mosley Scholarship Fund
John and Edna Mosley spent years helping their community. Friends and community members wanted to thank them. They raised money for the Mosleys to go on a vacation. The community collected thousands of dollars. They wanted to honor the Mosleys' kindness.
But the Mosleys had a different idea. They agreed to accept the money. But only if they could use it to start a scholarship fund. They didn't want a vacation for themselves. This scholarship fund began in 2002. It has helped many African American students. These students are from the Denver-Metro area. It has given out $28,000 in scholarships.
To get this scholarship, students must be African American. They must want to go to college or another school. They also need a GPA of 2.5 or higher. The scholarship looks for students who take charge of their lives. This includes getting good grades and being leaders. Finalists are interviewed. This makes sure the scholarship goes to the right person. This fund is now the largest and oldest community fund in Colorado. After John's death, his family asked for donations to the fund. They asked people to donate instead of sending flowers. This honored his goal of helping students.
Edna and John W. Mosley Elementary School
John W. Mosley and his wife Edna had a big impact. They helped the Aurora Community a lot. Aurora's Mayor, Steve Hogan, decided to honor them. He dedicated a school to them. The school is called Edna and John W. Mosley P-8. It opened on October 1, 2015. It is located near Airport Boulevard and 2nd Avenue in Aurora, Colorado. Today, over 900 students attend the school.
See also
- Dogfights (TV series)
- Executive Order 9981
- Freeman Field Mutiny
- List of Tuskegee Airmen
- Military history of African Americans
- The Tuskegee Airmen (movie)
