Biography of Charles B. Hall, Tuskegee Airman

 

    

     Born 25 August 1920, and a native of Brazil, Indiana, this Clay County citizen probably did not know how famous he would become. Growing up in a southwestern, rural Indiana town where the African-American population was quite small; was a feat that in itself tells of the strength of this young gentleman and his family. He made history as one of the first of 43 black pilots trained for combat as part of the 99^th Pursuit Squadron during WWII attached to the 332^nd Fighter Group (the Red Tails). Charles B. Hall, during a mission over Panelleria, Tunisia, North Africa on 02 July 1943 became the first Black man to shoot down an enemy plan; a German Focke-Wulf 190.

 

     To understand the enormity of this group is to know the adversity they had to overcome. The US Air Corps did not use Negroes to fly missions which based on earlier reports was in reality highly racist. It was President Franklin Roosevelt who ordered an all-Negro unit to be created at the Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama. When First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt visited the Institute on 19 April 1941, she met the head of the program, Charles “Chief” Anderson and remarked, “Can Negroes really fly airplanes?” Of course, Chief confirmed that they could and offered her a ride with one of the pilots. She accepted the ride even though her secret servicemen adamantly said no and not a good idea. As the First Lady was flying high above Tuskegee, the agent phoned the President who just replied, “Well, if she wants to do it, there’s nothing we can do to stop her.” The word was out that the first Negro Air Corps would be created. They persevered even though they had to fight prejudice at home as well as with the Nazi military under Dictator Adolph Hitler.

 

     Charles B. Hall, 99^th Fighter Squadron, shot down a total of 3 enemy planes to be only exceeded by Edward L. Toppins who shot down 4. The bravery, adversity, and the record of these gentlemen known as the Tuskegee Airmen, all in the 332^nd Fighter Group, were exceptional. A total of 111 German airplanes were destroyed with 150 on the ground. The best feat of course was that NO bombers were lost to the Germans while being escorted by the 332^nd Fighter Squadron. A total of 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 744 Air Medals, 8 Purple Hearts, and 14 Bronze Stars were handed out.

 

     Once the war was over and retiring from the Air Force at the rank of Major, Charles continued to work at Tinker Air Force Base and then with the Federal Aviation Administration. He also became a popular, successful insurance agent in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He did marry Lola Delois Miles who was born 18 February 1933 and was a beloved wife and mother as stated on her grave marker. Charles died 22 November 1971 and his wife died 07 August 1997. Both are buried in Spencer, Carter County, Oklahoma in the Hillcrest Cemetery with similar grave markers. Sadly, there is no grave marker that shows the greatness of this man—only a simply Veteran’s marker with his name, rank, and dates of birth and death. It doesn’t even state that he was a Black Tuskegee airmen.

 

Clay County is proud to say that Charles B. Hall came from Brazil, Clay County, Indiana and we thank him for his dedicated service to the United States Army Air Force. More than anything, we are proud that he had changed not only American history but world history as well.

Burial: Hillcrest Cemetery Spencer Carter County Oklahoma, USA Plot: Garden of Devotion, Lot 160, Section B, Grave #3