Theodore Lumpkin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Theodore Lumpkin
|
|
|---|---|
Lt. Col. Theodore Lumpkin in 1940s
|
|
| Born | December 30, 1919 Los Angeles, California, U.S.
|
| Died | December 26, 2020 (aged 100) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
|
| Other names | Ted Lumpkin Jr.; Theodore George Lumpkin, Jr. |
| Occupation | airman;social worker; businessman |
| Known for | Tuskegee airmen |
Theodore Lumpkin Jr. (born December 30, 1919 – died December 26, 2020) was an American military officer. He was a brave airman, social worker, and businessman. He is best known for being one of the famous Tuskegee Airmen during World War II.
Early Life and Learning
Theodore Lumpkin Jr. was born in Los Angeles, California. He went to Jefferson High School. After high school, he studied at Los Angeles City College from 1938 to 1940. He earned a degree in mathematics there.
He then continued his studies at the University of California Los Angeles. During this time, World War II had already started. However, the United States officially stayed out of the war until the end of 1941.
Military Service and the Tuskegee Airmen
Lumpkin joined the military in 1942. After his basic training, he went to officer cadet school. He became a second lieutenant. He was assigned to the 100th Fighter Squadron. This unit was based in Tuskegee, Alabama.
At that time, the U.S. military was separated by race. This meant that Black and White soldiers served in different units. The 100th Fighter Squadron was an all-Black unit. These brave pilots and their support teams became known as the Tuskegee Airmen.
Because of his eyesight, Lumpkin became an air combat intelligence officer. His job was to brief pilots before their missions. He would tell them important information about the enemy and the flight plan.
In 1944, he served in Italy. His squadron helped protect bombers by flying alongside them. They were based at Ramitelli Air Base. This base was part of the 332nd Fighter Group. Lumpkin left active military service in January 1946. He held the rank of captain.
After the war, he joined the Air Force Reserves. He finally retired from the military in 1979. By then, he had reached the rank of lieutenant colonel. He stayed involved with the Tuskegee Airmen. He was a national board member of the Tuskegee Airmen Inc. He also led the Los Angeles chapter. Lumpkin was also on the board of the Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Foundation. This foundation helps students get scholarships.
In 2009, Lumpkin was one of the surviving Tuskegee Airmen. He was invited to attend the inauguration of US President Barack Obama. This was a very special event.
Life After the War
After his military service, Theodore Lumpkin continued his education. He graduated from the University of Southern California with a degree in sociology. He also met and married his wife, Georgia.
He started working as a social worker in 1947. In 1953, he earned a master's degree in social work from the University of Southern California. Later in his life, he owned his own real estate agency. He continued to work there even when he was over 100 years old.
Theodore Lumpkin Jr. passed away on December 26, 2020. He was 100 years old. His death was caused by problems from COVID-19. He died just four days before his 101st birthday.
