Willie Ashley facts for kids

Willie Lee Ashley Jr. (born May 23, 1921 – died February 9, 1984) was a brave pilot and officer in the U.S. Army Air Force. He was a key member of the 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Fighter Squadron, famously known as the Tuskegee Airmen.

Willie Ashley was one of the first African American military pilots to fight in the air against an enemy plane. This happened on June 9, 1943. He shared this special moment with other pilots from the 99th Fighter Squadron: Sidney P. Brooks, Charles Dryden, Lee Rayford, Leon C. Roberts, and Spann Watson. They all faced German fighter planes that day.

Growing Up

Willie Ashley was born on May 23, 1921, in Crocketville, South Carolina. This town is in Hampton County. After finishing high school at Morris College, he went to Hampton Institute in Hampton, Virginia.

While at Hampton, Willie joined the Civil Air Patrol's Civilian Pilot Training Program. This is where he learned to fly and earned his pilot’s license.

Military Career

The U.S. Army Air Corps accepted Willie Ashley into its Advanced Flight School. This school was at Tuskegee Air Force Field. On July 3, 1942, he completed his training. He became a pilot, earning his "wings," and was made an officer, a 2nd Lieutenant.

During World War II, Willie Ashley flew 77 combat missions. These were dangerous flights over 14 months. He flew missions in places like North Africa, Sicily, and France. He was officially credited with shooting down two enemy planes.

On June 9, 1943, Willie Ashley and his fellow pilots from the 99th Fighter Squadron made history. They were Sidney P. Brooks, Charles Dryden, Lee Rayford, Leon Roberts, and Spann Watson. They became the first African American fighter pilots ever to fight in air combat.

After World War II ended, Willie Ashley came back to the United States. He continued to serve in the military as part of the U.S. Air Force Reserve. In 1981, he retired from the military. By then, he had reached the rank of Lt Colonel.

Life After the War

Willie Ashley continued his education after the war. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Omaha. He then earned a master’s degree from Catholic University. He also earned a PhD in radiation biology from Catholic University.

On March 1, 1947, Willie Ashley joined the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. This happened at the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Willie Ashley worked for several important government agencies. These included the Food and Drug Administration, the Department of Defense, and the Environmental Protection Agency. He retired from the Environmental Protection Agency in 1976. He also taught as a professor at Howard University. He retired from teaching in 1983 due to health problems.

His Passing

Willie Ashley passed away on February 9, 1984. He died at the Georgetown Medical Center in Washington, DC. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. This cemetery is a special place where many heroes are laid to rest.

His Legacy

• Officials at Shaw Air Force Base honored Willie Ashley by renaming a road. It is now called “Ashley-Bowman Boulevard.” This road is named for Ashley and 1st Sgt. Leroy Bowman. Both men were from Sumter, South Carolina, and served with the famous Tuskegee Airmen.

See also

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