Yancey Williams facts for kids
Yancey Williams (sometimes spelled Yancy Williams) was an important pilot and officer in the U.S. Air Force. He was born on February 1, 1916, and passed away on October 22, 1953. Williams was part of the famous 332nd Fighter Group, also known as the Tuskegee Airmen or "Red Tails." These were brave African American pilots who served during World War II.
Williams is especially remembered for a big lawsuit he filed in 1941. He sued the U.S. War Department because they wouldn't let him join their pilot training program. They denied him just because of his race. To avoid the lawsuit, the War Department created a separate unit for African American pilots. This unit was the 99th Pursuit Squadron at Tuskegee Institute. It was meant to train all African American pilots and ground crew.
Early Life and Education
Yancey Williams was born in Louisiana on February 1, 1916. He went to Booker T. Washington High School in Tulsa and graduated in 1932. After high school, Williams studied engineering at Howard University.
In 1938, a famous pilot named C. Alfred "Chief" Anderson started a pilot training program at Howard University. Williams was one of his students. Later, in 1940, Tuskegee Institute hired Anderson. He became the main flight instructor for their new program for African American pilots.
Lawsuit and Military Service
In 1941, Williams wanted to become a pilot cadet in the U.S. Army Air Corps (USAAC). But on December 13, 1940, the USAAC said no to his application. They rejected him because he was African American.
Because of this, Williams, along with the NAACP and fellow student Spann Watson, filed a lawsuit. They sued the U.S. War Department. They wanted the government to allow Williams and other qualified African Americans to train as USAAC pilots.
Williams stated in his lawsuit that he met all the requirements to be a pilot. He had:
- Finished at least two years of college.
- Completed pilot training programs.
- Earned a civilian pilot's license.
- Passed a military physical exam.
- Sent in all his application papers.
- Appealed his first rejection.
On December 13, 1940, Williams received his final rejection, which was based on his race.
To avoid the lawsuit, the War Department decided to create a separate unit. This unit was the 99th Pursuit Squadron (later called the 99th Fighter Squadron). It was set up at Tuskegee Institute. This unit would be the only place for African American pilots and support staff to train and serve.
At first, groups like the NAACP wanted the military to be fully integrated. They didn't want separate units for African Americans. However, they eventually agreed to the Tuskegee program. They saw it as the only chance for inspiring African American pilots during World War II.
Williams was eventually accepted into the USAAC. He earned his pilot wings on December 28, 1944. He was a First Lieutenant at that time. Spann Watson, who joined the lawsuit, also became a pilot. He graduated in July 1942.
We don't know much about Williams' military career between 1941 and 1953. However, he became a Major in the U.S. Air Force. He was serving at Scott AFB in Illinois when he passed away.
Death
On October 22, 1953, Major Williams was killed in a plane crash. His North American F-86D Sabre jet crashed shortly after taking off. He tried to land in a cornfield near Scott AFB, but his plane hit an electric pole. The aircraft exploded when it crashed.
An investigation found that a problem with the plane's hydraulic system caused the crash. Williams was 37 years old. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
See also
- List of Tuskegee Airmen Cadet Pilot Graduation Classes
- List of Tuskegee Airmen
- Military history of African Americans
- Dogfights (TV series)
- Executive Order 9981
- The Tuskegee Airmen (movie)
