Paul Adams (pilot)

Lt. Col. Paul Adams (1920-2013) was a World War II pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen. He was awarded the Congressional Bronze medal for his service in World War II. He was one of the first black teachers in the Lincoln Nebraska public school system. Adams also served as the president of the Lincoln Chapter of the NAACP.[2] In 2008 the city of Lincoln Nebraska built a new elementary school and named it after Adams. The mascot of the school in an aviator.[3]

Lieutenant Colonel

Paul Adams
Paul Adams in 1943
Born(1920-08-10)August 10, 1920
Greenville, S.C.
DiedJune 30, 2013(2013-06-30) (aged 92)
Lincoln, Nebraska
Service/branchUnited States Army Air Force
Years of service1942-1963
RankLieutenant Colonel
Unit332nd Fighter Group
Awards
  • Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters.
  • Congressional Gold Medal 2007
  • President's Honor of Distinction Award Doane College 2007


Spouse(s)Alda Virginia Thompson 1946-2013 (67 years)[1]

Military service

World War II
The Tuskegee Airmen's aircraft had distinctive markings that led to the name, "Red Tails."[N 1]

Adams joined the army in 1942 and began fighter pilot training at Tuskegee University in Alabama. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in 1943. He was assigned to the 332nd Fighter Group and sent to Naples Italy.[3]

After the war

In 1945, Captain Adams came back to the United states and was discharged. In 1947 Adams reenlisted in the army as a 1st Lieutenant. After many assignments eventually Adams was assigned to Lincoln Nebraska as Deputy Base Commander.[3]

Awards
  • Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters.
  • Congressional Gold Medal 2007
  • President's Honor of Distinction Award Doane College 2007[1]

Education

Personal life

Adams was a native of Greenville, South Carolina. After he graduated from college he joined the United States Army Air Force. He flew missions in World War II with the Tuskegee Airmen. Adams married Alda Virginia Thompson in 1946 and together they had three children. The Army assigned Adams to Lincoln Nebraska in 1962. Adams stayed in service until 1963. He retired in 1963 and began teaching industrial arts at Lincoln High School in 1964-1982. He was one of the first black teachers in the Lincoln Nebraska public school system. Adams also served as the president of the Lincoln Chapter of the NAACP.[2]

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References
  1. "Lt. Col. Paul Adams". legacy. Legacy.com. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  2. SIEVERS, KENT (July 5, 2013). "Tuskegee Airman Paul Adams dies in Lincoln at 92". The Associated Press. Omaha World Herald. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  3. "Paul Adams". redtail. CAF Red Tail Squadron. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  4. Rice, Markus. "The Men and Their Airplanes: The Fighters." Tuskegee Airmen, 1 March 2000.

Notes
  1. The red markings that distinguished the Tuskegee Airmen included red bands on the noses of P-51s as well as a red rudder; their P-51B and D Mustangs flew with similar color schemes, with red propeller spinners, yellow wing bands and all-red tail surfaces.[4]
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