Black WWII pilot shares his legacy

FORT RUCKER—The name alone, Lt. Col. Herbert Eugene Carter, may have meant little to most of those in attendance at a Black History Month kickoff at the installation’s Post Exchange on Friday.

But the enthusiasm of both residents and children at the event peaked as Carter calmly educated them on what led to the formation of black pilots like the Tuskegee Airmen (99th Fighter Squadron) and the esteemed role he and the others played throughout World War II.

Carter, 92, served as a pilot and maintenance engineer and is credited with flying 77 of the squadron’s most dangerous missions during the war.

The movie, Red Tails, was referred to Friday so Fort Rucker sixth graders could relate to what he did.

Carter, however, mentioned the commitment of black soldiers even before his time who wanted to be more than privates in the military in which they proudly served.

“They were visionaries. They saw themselves completely different and determined they would serve America at a status and a level … as pilots in the Air Corps, as officers,” Carter explained in a demeanor much like a seasoned educator.

“We (in America) were shy and lacking in manpower for the air corps so they figured the quickest way was to go to the colleges and offer training to anyone 18 years of age or older for free. A good break came to (black pilots) at black colleges. Between 1941 and 1945, better than 3,000 students volunteered for the air corps.”

Carter said more than 2,000 of the students were accepted and more than 990 received “their wings,” with 450 of them being fighter pilots and the remainder serving as bombers.

Carter said he served in close tactical balance support, a job that consisted of “finding trains, autos, anything moving – and destroying it. That’s what the 99th became famous for.”

Fort Rucker Sgt. Maj. Crystal Turner of the Air Traffic Services Command said the unit sponsored Carter’s attendance because of his legacy for all people in the military.

“It’s truly an honor for us to have him here to go back in history and tell us of his own legacy,” she said.

Military veteran Preston White agreed.

“As a non-commissioned officer, it’s evident how the duties the airmen performed had a profound impact on my career and in the military. This moment is extremely important, particularly for the children that are here,” he said.

Rich Hannon, a Vietnam veteran, said he appreciated programs like Friday’s event that were geared toward educating children on the struggles that people in the military underwent to assure the success of service men and women in the future.

Christina Caldwell of the Army and Air Force Exchange Service said Friday was a kickoff of other events planned on the installation throughout February by organizations, including the post’s Equal Employment Opportunity Office, in recognition of Black History Month.