Walter L. McCreary

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Walter L. McCreary
Born
Walter Lee McCreary

March 4, 1918
San Antonio, Texas, US
DiedDecember 20, 2015(2015-12-20) (aged 97)
Columbus, Ohio, US
Resting placeForest Lawn Memorial Gardens, Columbus, Ohio, US
Alma materTuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University
Occupation
  • Military officer
  • fighter pilot
Years active1941–1963

Walter Lee McCreary (March 4, 1918 - December 20, 2015) was an U.S. Army Air Corps/U.S. Air Force officer, former prisoner of war (POW), and one of the original combat fighter pilot with the prodigious 332nd Fighter Group's 100th Fighter Squadron, best known as the Tuskegee Airmen, "Red Tails," or “Schwartze Vogelmenschen” ("Black Birdmen") among enemy German pilots. He is notable for becoming one of the first hundred African American fighter pilots in history, as well as one of 1,007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots.[1][2]

During his 90th mission on October 22, 1944, German anti-aircraft fire shot down McCreary's aircraft. After bailing and parachuting from his damaged aircraft near Lake Balaton in Poland, McCreary was accosted by angry civilians until enemy German soldiers interceded and captured him, transporting him to several prison camps. McCready eventually landed at the Stalag Luft III POW camp near Budapest, Hungary. Held in captivity for 9 months, McCready was liberated on April 29, 1945 when General George Patton and his army captured the camp.[2][3][4]

McCreary's hometown African American newspaper, the ran a November 10, 1944 headline on its front page announcing McCreary's capture by the Germans.[5]

Early Life, Family[]

McCreary was born on March 4, 1918 in San Antonio, Texas. He was the son of Daisy Novella McCreary and James Walter McCreary, a railroad worker.[4] He attended Phyllis Wheatley High School (now Brackenridge High School, graduating in 1935.[4]

McCreary attended Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University) in Tuskegee, Alabama, majoring in Business Administration.[4]

After graduating from Tuskegee Institute in 1940, McCreary earned his civilian pilot’s license through the Civilian Pilot Training Program.[4]

In 1950, McCreary married Dorothy McCreary, a Columbus, Ohio native who attended East High School and Ohio State University.[4] They had five children: twin sons Walter Lee and William Allena who both passed away in infancy in 1951; Stephanie McCready Lynch, Sylvia M. Parks, and Andrea M. McCreary.[4]

McCready was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.[4]

Military Service, Tuskegee Airmen, Stalag Luft III POW[]

After graduating from Tuskegee Institute, McCreary was drafted by the U.S. Army.[4] On March 25, 1943, Ashley graduated as a member of the Single Engine Section Cadet Class SE-43-C, receiving his silver wings and commission as a 2nd Lieutenant.[1] He was then assigned to the 332nd Fighter Group's 100th Fighter Squadron.[4]

During World War II's European Theater, McCready flew 89 combat missions in P-39, P-47 and P-51 aircraft.[2][4] He named his aircraft "Skipper’s Darling."[4] McCready's missions included bomber escort, strafing and patrol over France, Germany, Italy, Austria, Romania, Poland, Greece, Hungary and Yugoslavia.[4]

During his 90th mission on October 22, 1944 to strafe German armaments in Hungary, German anti-aircraft flak severely damaged McCreary's P-51 aircraft.[4] After bailing from his aircraft near Lake Balaton, McCreary was accosted by angry civilians until enemy German soldiers interceded and captured him, transporting him to several prison camps. McCready eventually landed at the infamous multinational German POW camp, Stalag Luft III, near Budapest, Hungary.[2][4] McCreary's hometown African American newspaper, the ran a November 10, 1944 headline on its front page announcing McCreary's capture by the Germans.[5]

Held in captivity for 9 months, McCready was liberated on April 29, 1945 when General George Patton captured Stalag III, freeing all POWs.[2][4]

After World War II, the U.S. Army Air Corps transferred McCreary to Lockbourne AFB (now Rickenbacker AFB in Columbus, Ohio.[4]

In 1963, McCreary retired from the U.S. Air Force with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.[4]

Post-Military[]

After leaving the U.S. military, McCreary worked as the Deputy Director of the Ohio Department of Finance and Administrative Services, retiring in 1983 after 20 years.[4] He also served as a volunteer bookkeeper for his local Columbus, Ohio YMCA, retiring at the age of 80.[citation needed]

Honors[]

  • In 2006, Tuskegee University awarded McCready a Doctor of Public Service honorary degree.[4]
  • In 2007, McCreary and his fellow Tuskegee Airmen were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal.[3]
  • On September 16, 2009, the U.S. Air Force and the Air Force Association Air & Space Conference and Technology Exposition honored Tuskegee Airmen McCready, Charles McGee, Elmer Jones, and several members of the Doolittle Raiders with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the National Harbor in Oxon Hill, Maryland.[6]

Death[]

On December 20, 2015, McCreary died from heart failure in Columbus, Ohio.[citation needed] He was 97 years and one of the last living members of the Tuskegee Airmen.[citation needed] McCreary was interred at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens in Columbus.[citation needed]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Roster". CAF Rise Above. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e "Lonely Eagle Biographies: Walter L. McCreary". East Coast Chapter Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b Darlene Superville (29 March 2007). "Tuskegee Airmen Get Congressional Medal" (PDF). Associated Press.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "Walter McCreary 1918-2015: Tuskegee Airman served U.S. and Ohio". Columbus Dispatch. 25 December 2015.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b "S.A. Airmen Downed in Enemy Territory". San Antonio Register. 10 November 1944. p. 1.
  6. ^ U.S. Air Force. "Air Force Association honors Doolittle Raiders, Tuskegee Airmen." Master Sgt. Ben Gonzales , Defense Media Activity - San Antonio / Published September 17, 2009. https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/119121/air-force-association-honors-doolittle-raiders-tuskegee-airmen/
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