Herbert Carter (pilot)

Carter in 2008

Herbert E. Carter (September 27, 1919 – November 8, 2012) was an American Retired Lt. Colonel of the United States Air Force. Carter was a member of the original thirty-three members of the Tuskegee Airmen.[1] Carter flew seventy-seven missions with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II.[1]

Carter was born in Amory, Mississippi on September 27, 1919.[2] He was one of ten children in his family.[3]

Carter served in the United States Air Force for twenty-five years before retiring as a Lt. Colonel in 1969.[1] He obtained a Bachelor's of Science in education in 1955 and a master's degree in education in 1969, both degrees from the Tuskegee Institute, while simultaneously serving as an active-duty Air Force officer.[1]

Carter served at the Tuskegee Institute as an associate dean for student services, associate dean for admission and recruiting, and a financial aid counselor following his retirement from the Air Force.[1]

Lt. Colonel Herbert Carter died at the East Alabama Medical Center in Opelika, Alabama, on November 8, 2012, at the age of 93.[1] Carter was the last surviving Tuskegee Airman from Mississippi.[3] His late wife, Mildred L. Hemmons-Carter, who died in 2011, was the first African American woman to become a licensed pilot in the state of Alabama.[1][3][4] Together, the Carters were known as the "First Family" of the Tuskegee Airmen.[5]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Gray, Jeremy (2012-11-08). "Tuskegee Airman retired Lt. Col. Herbert Carter died today, reports state". AL.com (Alabama Media Group). Retrieved 2012-12-04.
  2. ↑ Otto, Steve (2012-11-12). "An American hero's dream outlives him". Tampa Tribune (Tampa Bay Online). Retrieved 2012-12-04.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Van Dusen, Ray (2012-11-14). "Flying higher than ever: Amory native, Tuskegee Airman passes away". Monroe Journal. Retrieved 2012-12-04.
  4. ↑ Drash, Wayne (2012-01-23). "A midair courtship: Tuskegee's historic love story". CNN. Retrieved 2012-12-04.
  5. ↑ Davis, JoBeth (2011-10-24). "First female graduate of Tuskegee Civilian Pilot program dies at 90". WSFA. Retrieved 2012-12-04.