Grace: Tuskegee ace Charles Lane was more than just a war hero

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Omaha World Herald

By Erin Grace

I'd like to think that Charles Lane drew more than a little satisfaction from the skies above enemy territory during World War II.

I'd like to think that while protecting U.S. bombers, while strafing Axis targets and dodging enemy fire, the dashing fighter pilot manning a P-51 Mustang flashed that impish smile out the window of his cockpit to some surprised blue-eyed German.

Here was Lane, a paradox for his time as a black fighter pilot. Here was Nazi Germany, the ultimate symbol of racism.

Take that, Hitler!

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://www.omaha.com/article/20131112/NEWS/131119747/1685#grace-tuskegee-ace-charles-lane-was-more-than-just-a-war-hero

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Charles A. Lane Jr.
Obituary

Lane, Charles A., Jr.
Lieutenant Colonel (Retired)
Jun 2, 1925 - Nov 8, 2013

Original Tuskegee Airman.
SERVICE Saturday, November 16, Fort Street Church of Christ, 5922 Fort St. COMPLETE NOTICE LATER
THOMAS FUNERAL HOME
3920 N. 24th St. 402-453-7111

[ISW]

1. Rest in peace Col. Lane

[BumRushDaShow]

2. R.I.P.

Glad that you and your flight mates finally got the national recognition that was long overdue and well-deserved.

[unc70]

3. Tuskegee airmen in art

The NC Museum of Art has an incredible work honoring these airmen. You really have to see it AND read the backstory regarding the artist.

http://ncartmuseum.org/untitled/2011/09/remembering-through-contemporary-art/

BTW The NCMA has a quite good collection overall. Well worth a visit if you are in the area, and it is FREE admission for all.

[lastlib]

4. I had the honor of meeting one of the Tuskegee Airmen a few years ago--

Col. Charles McGee, 92 years young, had a million stories to tell! And told them very well--you can't listen to him without being enthralled by his storytelling skill! I developed a quick bond with him when I told him I was from the Kansas City area, because later in his life, he was base commander at a nearby Air Force base, then administrator at our city airport. Quite a man, truly a hero and a pioneer in racial relations as well!

[zipplewrath]

5. Seems a bit twisted

Not sure the original officer understands Germany at the time:

I'd like to think that Charles Lane drew more than a little satisfaction from the skies above enemy territory during World War II.

I'd like to think that while protecting U.S. bombers, while strafing Axis targets and dodging enemy fire, the dashing fighter pilot manning a P-51 Mustang flashed that impish smile out the window of his cockpit to some surprised blue-eyed German.

Here was Lane, a paradox for his time as a black fighter pilot. Here was Nazi Germany, the ultimate symbol of racism.

I'm not sure that the Airman would have considered Germany to be the ultimate symbol. As
the Tuskegee Airman Alexander Jefferson wrote of his experience as a POW:

“Having been treated in Nazi capture like every other Allied officer, I walked down the gang plank towards a white US Army sergeant on the dock, who informed us "Whites to the right, niggers to the left."

The ultimate symbol may have been closer to home for these brave gentlemen.

[GliderGuider]

6. Oof! nt