Vernon V. Haywood facts for kids

Vernon V. Haywood (October 24, 1920 – April 14, 2003) was a brave pilot and officer in the U.S. Army Air Force. He was a combat fighter pilot and jet pilot. He also led the 302nd Fighter Squadron, which was part of the famous Tuskegee Airmen.

Haywood was one of the very first African American jet pilots in the U.S. Air Force. He was also one of the first African American jet instructors. He shared these honors with three other amazing African American officers. In 1993, the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame welcomed Haywood into its Hall of Fame.

Early Life and Learning

Vernon V. Haywood was born on October 24, 1920. His hometown was Raleigh, North Carolina. His parents were Ernest S. Haywood and Mary Montague Haywood. He was one of seven children in his family. His father worked for a railroad company. His mother was a housewife who took care of their large family.

Haywood finished high school at Washington Graded and High School in 1938. He then went to Hampton Institute in Hampton, Virginia. While there, he joined a special program. This program helped him earn his private pilot's license.

Later, in 1964, Haywood earned a bachelor's degree. He studied Basic General Education at the University of Nebraska in Omaha.

Haywood was married to Imogene V. Haywood until she passed away in 1962. He later married Alma Haywood. Alma was a nurse and a Captain in the U.S. Air Force. They had one son, Vernon Jr.

A Military Flying Career

In 1941, Haywood left Hampton Institute. He went to Tuskegee Army Air Field for pilot training. He stayed there even after the attack on Pearl Harbor. During his training, he once ran low on fuel. He had to land his plane in a pasture in Alabama. The owner of the pasture was a wealthy man. He picked up Haywood in a fancy car. He even gave him cookies and milk!

On April 29, 1943, Haywood finished his training at Tuskegee. He earned his silver wings and became a 2nd Lieutenant.

The U.S. Army Air Corps assigned Haywood to the 332nd Fighter Group. In December 1943, he moved from Michigan to Italy. He became a Flight Commander and Operations Officer. Eventually, he became the leader of the 302nd Fighter Squadron. During World War II, Haywood flew 70 missions. He flew over many countries in Europe. These included Austria, Italy, Germany, and Romania. He also flew over southern France, Poland, and near Russia.

In 1945, Haywood returned to the United States. He shot down one enemy German aircraft on October 21, 1944. This earned him the Distinguished Flying Cross. During one mission, British gunners accidentally fired at Haywood and his squadron. This happened as they flew back to their base in Italy.

After World War II, Haywood became Assistant Director of the Tuskegee Air Field Instrument School. When pilot training at Tuskegee closed in 1946, he moved to Lockbourne AFB.

In 1949, the U.S. Air Force sent Haywood to Williams AFB in Arizona. He went there to train jet pilots. He was one of four African American officers chosen for this important task. Haywood, Henry B. Perry, Lewis Lench, and John L. Whitehead Jr. became the first African American jet pilots and instructors for the U.S. Air Force.

After training jet pilots for four years, Haywood served in Japan, the Philippines, and Vietnam. In 1966, he commanded a fighter squadron in Tucson, Arizona. In 1969, he served in Vietnam in a non-flying role. He retired from the Air Force as a colonel on October 17, 1971. During his long military career, Haywood flew over 6,000 hours in fighter planes.

Life After the Military

In 1976, Haywood continued his education. He graduated from the University of Arizona. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Management.

Awards and Honors

Vernon V. Haywood received many awards for his service:

• Legion of Merit
• Distinguished Flying Cross
• Air Medal (with 4 oak leaf clusters)
• Joint Service Commendation Medal
• Outstanding Unit Award
• Euro-Africa-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal (with 3 battle stars)
• Korean Service Medal
• Vietnam Service Medal
• Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon (with 5 oak leaf clusters)

He also received special honors:

• In 1993, the Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame chose Haywood as a member.
• The General Assembly of North Carolina honored Haywood and other Tuskegee Airmen from North Carolina.

His Final Years

Vernon V. Haywood passed away on April 14, 2003. He was 82 years old. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

See also

• Executive Order 9981
• List of Tuskegee Airmen
• List of Tuskegee Airmen Cadet Pilot Graduation Classes
• Military history of African Americans