Marlon Green facts for kids
Marlon Dewitt Green (June 6, 1929 – July 6, 2009) was an African-American pilot. His important case at the U.S. Supreme Court in 1963 helped end racial discrimination in the American airline industry. This led to David Harris becoming the first African-American pilot for a major airline the next year. Green himself was later hired by Continental Airlines, where he flew from 1965 to 1978.
Early Life and Air Force
Marlon Green was born in El Dorado, Arkansas, in 1929. His family moved to Lansing, Michigan, around 1936 or 1937.
Green joined the United States Air Force. His last job there was flying rescue planes called SA-16 Albatross with the 36th Air Rescue Squadron in Japan.
Fighting for Fairness
In 1957, while on leave from the Air Force, Green applied for a pilot job at Continental Airlines. He didn't fill out the part of the application that asked about his race. He also didn't include a picture of himself.
Five other white applicants were hired, even though they had less experience than Green. Green was either rejected right away, or he was hired but then rejected after showing up for orientation.
Green believed he was treated unfairly because he was African-American. He took his case to court. On April 22, 1963, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in his favor. The court said that Green had been unlawfully discriminated against.
A New Path for Pilots
In 1964, after Green's victory, American Airlines hired David Harris. Harris became the first African-American pilot for a major U.S. passenger airline.
After winning his Supreme Court case, Marlon Green began flying for Continental Airlines in 1965. He flew planes like the Vickers Viscount. He became a captain in 1966 and continued to fly for Continental until 1978.
Later Life and Legacy
Marlon Green passed away in Denver, Colorado, at the age of 80. He was honored for his achievements during his lifetime. He was inducted into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame.
On February 16, 2010, Continental Airlines named a Boeing 737-824 airplane after him at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas.
