Wilfred DeFour

SSG Wilfred DeFour (1918-2018) was born in Colón, Panama and emigrated to New York. He was an aircraft technician and a member of the famed group of World War II-era African-Americans known as the Tuskegee Airmen.[1]

Staff Sergeant

Wilfred DeFour
Birth nameWilfred DeFour
Born(1918-04-12)April 12, 1918
Colón, Panama
DiedDecember 8, 2018(2018-12-08) (aged 100)
Harlem, New York
Service/branchUnited States Army Air Force
Years of service1942-1945
RankStaff Sergeant
Unit366th Air Service Squadron and 332nd Fighter Group
Awards

Military service

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

DeFour joined the Air Corps in 1942, and after completing basic training he was assigned to the 366th Air Service Squadron, and stationed in Italy in 1943.[3]One month before his death (November 2018), DeFour appeared in Harlem for a ceremony renaming the local post office branch in Harlem, New York. The post office on Macombs Place in Harlem was renamed for the Tuskegee Airmen.[4]

Education

Awards

Personal life

DeFour was born in Colón, Panama and emigrated to New York. After the war, he completed his associate and bachelor's degrees in real estate and business administration. He worked for the United States Postal Service, and retired after 33 years.[1] Defour was married to Ruth Christian (died in 2005). Together they had two children Wilfred, Jr. and Darlene. He was survived by a daughter.[6][7]

Death

DeFour had been receiving at home care, and a care provider found him in the bathroom of his Fifth Avenue apartment in Harlem, New York at 9 a.m. Authorities said he died of natural causes.[5]

References
  1. Ellis, Ralph; Ly, Laura (December 8, 2018). "Wilfred DeFour, 100-year-old Tuskegee Airman, dies". CNN. Cable News Network. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  2. Rice, Markus. "The Men and Their Airplanes: The Fighters." Tuskegee Airmen, 1 March 2000.
  3. Dedaj, Paulina (December 8, 2018). "Wilfred DeFour, Tuskegee Airman during World War II, dies at 100". FOX News Network, LLC. Fox News. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  4. Glassberg, Lauren (November 19, 2018). "Harlem post office renamed in honor of the Tuskegee Airmen". ABC, Inc. Eyewitness News. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  5. Woods, Amanda; Fugallo, Nick (December 8, 2018). "Tuskegee Airmen pilot, WWII hero dies in Harlem at 100". NYP HOLDINGS, INC. New York Post. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  6. Boyd, Herb (December 3, 2019). "Wilfred DeFour, a valiant and vital Tuskegee Airman". New York Amsterdam News. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
  7. Ndoume, Arletha. "VeteranOfTheDay Army Air Forces Veteran Wilfred DeFour". va.gov. US Department of Veteran Affairs. Retrieved December 4, 2019.

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.[2]
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