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Calvin J. Spann

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Calvin J. Spann
1st Lt. Calvin J. Spann, an original Tuskegee Airman of the 332nd Fighter Group 100th Squadron
Born(1924-11-28)November 28, 1924
Rutherford, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedSeptember 6, 2015(2015-09-06) (aged 90)
Texas, U.S.

Calvin J. Spann (November 28, 1924 – September 6, 2015) was one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, a fighter pilot with the 100th Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group. Spann received his wings from the Tuskegee Flight School as a part of graduating class 44G.[1] As a member of the United States Army Air Corps, he served in Europe during World War II, where Spann flew 26 combat missions before the end of the war in the European Theater.[2]

Education

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He attended Rutherford High School.[3][4]

Military career

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Spann (standing at right) watches fellow Tuskegee Airmen playing cards in the officers club in the evening while stationed in Italy (March 1945)

During Spann's wartime service (1944–1946), he was assigned to the 332nd Fighter Group under the command of Colonel Benjamin O. Davis Jr., who on September 2, 1941, was the first African American officer to solo an aircraft under the U.S. Army Air Corps. Davis would later rise to the rank of general in the United States Air Force. While assigned to the 332nd, he flew in the longest bomber escort mission of 15th Air Force, a 1600-mile round trip mission on March 24, 1945,[5] from Ramitelli, Italy, to Berlin, Germany, to destroy a Daimler-Benz manufacturing facility under the leadership of squadron commander Captain Roscoe Brown.

Later life

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Spann speaks with members of the 11th Bomb Squadron at Barksdale Air Force Base as they sit inside the bomb bay of a Boeing B-52 Stratofortress (December 2014)

Later in his life, Spann spoke at schools, churches and organizations about the Tuskegee Airmen experience and how their courage and valor helped them to triumph. During these speeches, he encouraged students to make a commitment to excel in the study of mathematics and science, and reminding them that through preparation and perseverance they can succeed.

Spann lived in Englewood, New Jersey, and worked in the pharmaceutical industry.[3] Spann died on September 6, 2015, at the age of 90 in McKinney, Texas,[6] where he had moved in 2006 to be close to his daughter, Carla Spann and his grandchildren Carson and Cameron.[7] He is buried in East Ridgelawn Cemetery in Clifton, New Jersey.[8]

Military awards

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  • The Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster
  • A Presidential Unit Citation
  • The European/African/Middle Eastern Campaign Ribbon
  • The American Campaign Ribbon
  • The World War II Victory Medal
  • The Congressional Gold Medal (Tuskegee Airmen)[9]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Allen Public Library Presents: Tuskegee Airman Lt. Calvin Spann - The City of Allen, TX". Allen Public Library Presents. Retrieved 2013-08-24.
  2. ^ "Frontiers of Flight Museum Honoring African American aviation pioneers past & present". North Dallas Gazette. 2013-02-20. Retrieved 2013-08-24.
  3. ^ a b Todd South. "Tuskegee Airman returning home to Rutherford for one final salute". NorthJersey.com.
  4. ^ Richard Cowen. "Rutherford native Calvin Spann, famed Tuskegee Airman, dies at age 90". NorthJersey.com.
  5. ^ Freedom Flyers The Tuskegee Airmen of World War II ISBN 978-0-19-538655-4 by Moye, J. Todd
  6. ^ Megan Gibson. "Tuskegee Airman Who Flew 26 Missions Over Germany Dies at 90". Time.
  7. ^ "North Texas Funeral Held for Tuskegee Airman Calvin Spann". NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. 12 September 2015.
  8. ^ Philadelphia Tribune obituary
  9. ^ "Tuskegee Airman presented Congressional Gold Medal of Honor". Kirtland.af.mil. 2007-08-08. Archived from the original on 2014-07-14. Retrieved 2013-08-24.

Further reading

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  • Freedom Flyers The Tuskegee Airmen of World War II ISBN 978-0-19-538655-4 by Moye, J. Todd
  • Boundless Sky "The Journey of LT. Calvin Spann, Tuskegee Airman ISBN 978-0-69220-406-1 Author Calvin J Spann, Written by: Jonathan Singleton, Created by Lindell Singleton
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