Calvin J. Spann

Calvin J. Spann
1st Lt. Calvin J. Spann, an original Tuskegee Airman of the 332nd Fighter Group 100th Squadron
Born	(1924-11-28)November 28, 1924 Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.
Died	September 6, 2015(2015-09-06) (aged 90) Texas, U.S.

Calvin J. Spann (November 28, 1924 – September 6, 2015) was one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, a fighter pilot with the 100th Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group. Spann received his wings from the Tuskegee Flight School as a part of graduating class 44G.^[1] As a member of the United States Army Air Corps, he served in Europe during World War II, where Spann flew 26 combat missions before the end of the war in the European Theater.^[2]

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Education

He attended Rutherford High School.^[3]^[4]

Military career

During Spann's wartime service (1944–1946), he was assigned to the 332nd Fighter Group under the command of Colonel Benjamin O. Davis Jr., who on September 2, 1941, was the first African American officer to solo an aircraft under the U.S. Army Air Corps. Davis would later rise to the rank of general in the United States Air Force. While assigned to the 332nd, he flew in the longest bomber escort mission of 15th Air Force, a 1600-mile round trip mission on March 24, 1945,^[5] from Ramitelli, Italy, to Berlin, Germany, to destroy a Daimler-Benz manufacturing facility under the leadership of squadron commander Captain Roscoe Brown.

Later life

Later in his life, Spann spoke at schools, churches and organizations about the Tuskegee Airmen experience and how their courage and valor helped them to triumph. During these speeches, he encouraged students to make a commitment to excel in the study of mathematics and science, and reminding them that through preparation and perseverance they can succeed.

Spann lived in Englewood, New Jersey, and worked in the pharmaceutical industry.^[3] Spann died on September 6, 2015, at the age of 90 in McKinney, Texas,^[6] where he had moved in 2006 to be close to his daughter, Carla Spann and his grandchildren Carson and Cameron.^[7] He is buried in East Ridgelawn Cemetery in Clifton, New Jersey.^[8]

Military awards

The Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
A Presidential Unit Citation
The European/African/Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon
The American Campaign Ribbon
The World War II Victory Medal
The Congressional Gold Medal (Tuskegee Airmen)^[9]

References

^ "Allen Public Library Presents: Tuskegee Airman Lt. Calvin Spann - The City of Allen, TX". Allen Public Library Presents. Retrieved 2013-08-24.
^ "Frontiers of Flight Museum Honoring African American aviation pioneers past & present". North Dallas Gazette. 2013-02-20. Retrieved 2013-08-24.
^ ^a ^b Todd South. "Tuskegee Airman returning home to Rutherford for one final salute". NorthJersey.com.
^ Richard Cowen. "Rutherford native Calvin Spann, famed Tuskegee Airman, dies at age 90". NorthJersey.com.
^ Freedom Flyers The Tuskegee Airmen of World War II ISBN 978-0-19-538655-4 by Moye, J. Todd
^ Megan Gibson. "Tuskegee Airman Who Flew 26 Missions Over Germany Dies at 90". Time.
^ "North Texas Funeral Held for Tuskegee Airman Calvin Spann". NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. 12 September 2015.
^ Philadelphia Tribune obituary
^ "Tuskegee Airman presented Congressional Gold Medal of Honor". Kirtland.af.mil. 2007-08-08. Archived from the original on 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2013-08-24.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Calvin J. Spann.

Tuskegee Airmen

Units

Air fields

Pilots
and crew

Incidents

Freeman Field mutiny

Aircraft

Media

Fictional films	The Tuskegee Airmen (1995) Hart's War (2002) Red Tails (2012)
Documentaries	Flight of the Red Tail (2009) Red Tail Reborn (2007) Wings for This Man
Other	Fly (play) Henry Browne, Farmer "Wingmen"