NORFOLK, Va. — One of the first Black pilots to serve in the U.S. Army shared his story last week at Norfolk State University.
Sergeant Thomas Newton took the stage at the Wilder Performing Arts Center to talk about his experiences as one of the original Tuskegee Airman, a group that was formed in 1941 to fight in World War II.
It was named after the Tuskegee Army Airfield in Alabama, which was the only U.S. training facility for Black pilots at the time.
Newton was honorably discharged on Jan. 31, 1949, three years to the date of his initial enlistment. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1946, just weeks after his 18th birthday.
During his service, he earned a Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.
“Being a part of the 99th Fighter Squadron was the highlight of my life,” Newton said during his visit.