Dr. Leo F. Murphy,

Professor of Aeronautical Science at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University

ARTICLE WRITTEN BY: Dr. Claudia Parker.                    PHOTOS BY:  Martha Rosa

TRAILBLAZERS AND HEROES

Members attending the April 1 VMAEC meeting were enlightened by the storytelling and aviation history expertise of Dr. Leo F. Murphy, Professor of Aeronautical Science at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University and 30-year U.S. Navy Lieutenant Commander (Ret.) and naval aviator.

Institutionalized racism

Dr. Murphy began by discussing the early racist history against African Americans in flight training which led them to circumvent regulations and practices to find ways to get airborne. He talked about trailblazers who taught themselves how to fly, shared airplanes among themselves, built their own segregated airfields, and formed professional aerospace organizations specifically for African Americans.

According to Murphy, “With the passage of the Civil Aeronautics Act of 1938, things began to change.” Through significant efforts, The Civil Aeronautics Authority ‘s Civilian Pilot Training Program eventually opened to African Americans via six historically black colleges and universities. One of these was Tuskegee Institute which, on December 13, 1939, was officially approved to participate in the Civilian Pilot Training Program. The program grew in participation and prestige. Yet, not until President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed into law the Selective Training and Service Act did the US Army Air Corps begin to use African-Americans in the national defense, following the formation of an all African-American pursuit squadron formed and trained at Tuskegee Institute—the Tuskegee Airmen.

The Quest for the Lost Tuskegee Airman

Dr. Murphy then discussed his extensive and unremitting research endeavor recounted in his book, Lost in Heaven, the story of Pensacola-born African American, James R. Polkinghorne, Jr. and his relentless pursuit of a career in aviation. At Tuskegee Army Air Field Polkinghorne proved his mettle, was graduated and commissioned a 2^nd Lt. in the US Army, and received his silver wings, designating him as a rated US Army Air Force pilot. Polkinghorne was to attend Advanced flight training at Tuskegee Army Air Field but was transferred to Selfridge Army Air Field in Michigan because of overcrowding and assigned to the 301^stFighter Squadron for combat training. Here he was promoted to 1^st Lt. With the final phases of bombing and gunnery training completed, the 332^nd Fighter Group was told to prep for combat orders. In December, the Fighter Group and its three squadrons set sail for Italy, arriving in January 1944.

The 332^nd Fighter Group and its three squadrons were assigned to Montecorvino Airfield where the winter rain, wind, snow, fog, and low clouds limited visibility and hampered flight operations for their assigned coastal patrol duties in support of the Gustav Line—but not for long. By March, to be closer to the battle lines, the various contingents began to depart, leaving behind only the 332^nd Fighter Group and Polkinghorne’s 301^st Fighter Squadron which were awaiting official transfer orders.

In March 1944, Operation STRANGLE was initiated to weaken the Germans in Italy. With bad weather, air tactical units were directed to focus on the complete destruction of German lines of communication in Central and Northern Italy. Polkinghorne’s 301^st fighter squadron prepped for bomb and strafe missions in support of Operation STRANGLE. There were to be three flights of four airplanes each, Red, White, and Blue groups. On May 5, 1944, the squadron launched from Montecorvino airport, with Polkinghorne assigned as element leader for the Red group. The weather was hazy with a cloud bank covering the target area. Red was to go below the cloud bank which became decidedly worse, visibility-wise. Pilots were instructed to use their instruments to fly and most returned to base. Polkinghorne’s Red flight 3 was missing. The Missing Air Crew Report filed contained detailed information on location, date, weather conditions, etc., and stated that 1^st Lt. James R. Polkinghorne simply disappeared on his final combat mission. His body and the airplane wreckage were never recovered.

Polkinghorne was officially declared deceased in November 1945—one of the 81 Tuskegee Airmen killed overseas serving their country with honor and bravery in combat during World War II.

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