Jefferson, Alexander

Title: Jefferson, Alexander
Performer: Alexander Jefferson
Interviewer: William Vollano
Description: After earning a Bachelor of Science degree from Clark College in Atlanta, Georgia, and completing several courses of graduate work in Chemistry at Howard University, in Washington, D.C., Mr. Jefferson graduated from pilot training school at Tuskegee Army Airfield in January 1944. Piloting a P-51 fighter plane with the distinctive red tail of the Tuskegee Airmen, Mr. Jefferson was shot down by German forces in August of 1944. Jefferson was a POW at several German installations until his liberation in April of 1945. After his discharge from the Army Air Corps in 1947, Mr. Jefferson would work as science teacher and later assistant principal in the city of Detroit. Due to his service as a Tuskegee Airman and his involvement in the community, Mr. Jefferson was awarded a member of the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame.
Date Span: 1942-1947; 1948-1979; Dates of Service
Subject: Enlisted; United States Army Air Forces/Corps; United States Air Force; 301st Fighter Squadron, 322nd Fighter Group, 15th Air Force; 504th Recovery Squadron; Air Force Reserve ; World War, 1939-1945; Cold War; Second World War - European Theater; United States; Lieutenant Colonel; Prisoner of War
Publisher: Veterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congress
Collection Location: 2/30; https://youtu.be/JW-RRsQiU2I