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Updated: 5:04 PM Jan 31, 2012
Original Tuskegee Airman Shares his Story and Thoughts on 'Red Tails'
The new movie "Red Tails" tells the story of the famous World War II flying unit, the Tuskegee Airmen. There are very few of the original Tuskegee Airmen left, but one of them is live and well in the panhandle.
Posted: 7:34 PM Jan 30, 2012Reporter: Kavontae Smalls Email Address: kavontae.smalls@wjhg.com |
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3 Comments 
Blountstown -- Cornelius Davis hails from Blountstown and was apart of the original chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen.
Cornelius Davis’ home is filled with tons of memorabilia from his days as a Tuskegee Airman. The group was the U.S. War Department’s experiment to prove African Americans were capable of serving as military pilots. Davis says seeing war planes in newsreels are what sparked his interest in aviation at a young age.
“All of a sudden, an airplane appeared and dropped a bomb on it and it went to pieces and I'm going to be the one dropping the bomb" said Cornelius Davis, Tuskegee Airman.
Ahead of being drafted, Davis joined the military and soon found himself in Tuskegee, Alabama where he received basic training. Soon after, he went to Colorado to armament school. When he returned to Tuskegee, Davis would learn his role in the Tuskegee Experiment, which was to train future pilots weaponry in planes like the P-47 Fighter plane.
“We taught them how to shoot and drop bombs, that was my department” said Davis.
When Davis returned to civilian life, his service to country continued. He became politically active and influential in helping politicians in Michigan get elected. He attended political events and acted as the photographer for his local newspaper. Within Davis’ personal collection of photos include close-ups of President Lyndon B. Johnson and Bobby Kennedy. He continued to use his photography skills to capture moments from the Tuskegee Airmen’s annual Career Week, which aims at introducing children to aviation. Eventually Davis returned to Blountstown where he continued to give back.
In 2007, Davis donated his gold medal to the Blountstown Library because he wanted the people of Calhoun County to understand the role black aviators played in defense of America.
Davis has seen the new movie “Red Tails” which tells the Tuskegee Airmen’s story. He says he enjoyed the movie, but mentions how the film failed to convey the extent of integration among white and black aviators.
“In the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, you’ll find that race was overlooked in so many occasions” said Davis.
The Tuskegee Airmen never lost a single bomber they escorted to
enemy fire. The Davis family says they are very proud of all Cornelius Davis’ accomplishments.
Latest Comments
I had the honor of serving in the reactivated 332nd in Iraq. The unit was proud of its heritage. The sad thing for me is that so many young people have no idea who they were or what they accomplished. I am glad the movie will give a glimpse and rememberance of what these men did. Even though I did not share their skin color I was proud to follow in their brave footsteps.
Cornelius -- This is for you: "...Fame is short-lived and little the world remembers. ... So here's a "nickel on the grass" to you, my friend, for your spirit, enthusiasm, sacrifice, and courage -- but most of all to your friendship. Yours is a dying breed and when you are gone, the world will be a lesser place. A Fighter Pilot.
I love this movie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
