Major Fred O. Wilson/Tuskegee Airmen

[{CLR} ObiTroy]

Just recieved the below from my Dad.

I had the pleasure of meeting Major Wilson when he spoke at Central Park in King, NC last year on Veterans Day. I'm going to do my best to attent the memorial for him tommorrow.

Thank you, Major Wilson, for your service.

Fred O. Wilson, age 85, of Salisbury, NC, passed away on Monday, October 1st, 2007 at Northeast Medical Center in Concord, NC. Born June 18th, 1922, Major Wilson was a decorated pilot and one of the last remaining Tuskegee Airmen of WWII. He was one of only four Native American pilots to fly with the Tuskegee Airmen, a predominately black fighter squadron which are remembered as never losing a bomber to enemy fire. Their record included more than 15,000 combat sorties. They destroyed 111 German airplanes in the air and 150 on the ground. They also hit 950 rail cars, trucks and other vehicles, and one Tuskegee "Redtail" sunk a destroyer. An estimated 120 Airmen remain out of the 992 men who graduated from pilot training at the Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama. About 50 of the airmen died last year alone. In March of 2007 the Tuskegee Airmen received a long overdue Congressional Medal of Honor which was presented in Washington DC by President George W. Bush. It was Mr. Wilson's desire to keep the memory and history of the Tuskegee Airmen alive. He enjoyed nothing more than passing the history of the Airmen on to the children of the next generation.>>
Mr. Wilson was also very proud of his Native Indian Heritage as part of the Canadian Mohawk Nation and was known as "Blue Eagle" by his Indian friends.>>

Mr. Wilson is survived by his wife of 42 years Joyce A. Wilson of Salisbury, NC; son Frederick A. Wilson and wife Lisa B. Wilson of Salisbury, NC; Son Dana R. Wilson and Wife Lisa A. Wilson of Henry, VA; grandchildren Kristen Wilson of Salisbury, NC; Hunter Wilson of Henry, VA; and Karie Wilson of Henry, VA.>>
A Military Memorial and Salute in honor of Major Fred O. Wilson will be held at the American Legion Post 290 Grounds at Noon on Saturday October 6th, 2007 in King, NC. Guests are asked to arrive by 11:45am.>>
America Legion Post 290
446 S. Main St.
King, NC 27021>>
The family requests that in lieu of flowers that donations are made in honor of Major Wilson, and the Tuskegee Airmen, to the Tuskegee Scholarship fund:>>
TAI Scholarship Fund
Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.
P.O. Box 9166 Arlington, VA 22219-1166>>
All other condolences may be sent to 1160 Walton Pl., Salisbury, NC 28146>>
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Contact Numbers:>>
Joyce Wilson: (704) 638-2246>>
Fred Wilson (Son) (704) 637-6043 (h) (704) 640-1736 (c)>>
Dana Wilson (Son) (540) 365-3167 (h) (540) 420-1714 (c)