Congress Honors Chief Langston's Grandfather

  • Published
  • By Tech Sgt. Denise Hauser
  • 927th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Chief Master Sgt. John Langston's grandfather, the late jazz great Al Downing, was officially presented the Congressional Gold Medal for being a pioneer as one of the Tuskegee Airmen.  The ceremony took place at the Royal Theatre Boys & Girls Club Arts Academy in St. Petersburg, Fla.

 Edna "Bunny" Downing, Chief Langston's grandmother and wife of Al Downing for 55 years, accepted the award from Florida Congresswoman Kathy Castor (D), Eleventh District.
 
On April 3, 1939 "Public Law 18" was passed. This bill, initiated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, called for the creation of new training programs to be implemented at African- American colleges where the students could be trained in Army Air Corp support services.  Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Ala. was chosen under the leadership of Charles Alfred Anderson, the nation's first African-American to earn a pilot's license. Training for the new 99th Pursuit Squadron started in January 1941.  Over 2000 African- American aviation cadets from 1941 to 1946 completed training as twin engine pilots, navigators and bombardiers. 

Al Downing started his military career as an aviator cadet and was later commissioned as the squadron commander of the 613th Army Air Forces band. "He was the epitome of courage to take an opportunity, when people said it could not be done," said Joey Henderson representative of the Tampa Bay Chapter Tuskegee Airmen/Buffalo Soliders. 

Chief Langston along with his two sons, John, 11, and Dylan, 10, started off the ceremony with the Pledge of Allegiance.  After the pledge, Chief Langston stated, "The Tuskegee Airmen were a starting point that African-Americans could accomplish things such as flying in the armed forces and that this gave inspiration to his relatives and others." 

"There is nothing more important than the recognition of our national heroes," stated  Castor.  "The Tuskegee Airmen served at a time when they were fighting a war and discrimination in America as well.  They blazed the trail." 

Mrs. Downing was very moved by the tribute, "I'm proud of the fact that the recognition of my husband has finally come to pass."