MIAMI – Dr. Harold Brown, a World War II veteran who flew missions against Nazi Germany as a P-51 Mustang pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen, will visit U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) Nov. 16 to speak with military men and women assigned to the military headquarters.
Brown will visit the command at the invitation of the Miami-Homestead Air Force Association Chapter and will present awards on behalf of the chapter to four local airmen for their outstanding performance in 2017.
Tuskegee Airmen served the allied effort with distinction in Northern Africa and Europe during the last world war and are credited with helping pave the way for desegregation in the U.S. Armed Forces after the conflict ended.
Harold was among more than 300 pilots who flew long-range bomber escort missions deep into German territory and ground attack missions with the Tuskegee Airmen’s 332nd Fighter Group. Their unit would later be called “red tails” because of the distinctive color scheme on its fleet of aircraft. In time, U.S. bomber pilots trusted Tuskegee Airmen and asked for red-tail escorts because they had a reputation for losing fewer bombers than other escort groups during the highly dangerous missions.
Harold was shot down over enemy territory on his 30th combat mission, spending weeks as a prisoner of war before allied forces freed him.
He would go on to earn the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force and serve during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
Harold would also earn a Ph.D. and make lasting contributions as an educator before retiring.
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NOTE FOR NEWS DESKS:
Media interested in covering Dr. Harold Brown’s visit should contact the U.S. Southern Command Public Affairs Office at 305-437-1205 to RSVP no later than 5 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15. Due to security requirements at the headquarters, media credentials and escorts are required. The visitors’ entrance to U.S. Southern Command is Gate 2, located at 9301 NW 33rd St., Doral, Fla. 33172. The gate is the second entrance west of the Miami Herald.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
• Tuskegee Airmen:
http://www.redtail.org/the-tuskegee-airmen-2/
• Dr. Harold Brown:
http://www.redtail.org/profiles-tuskegee-airmen-dr-harold-brown/