Joseph Elsberry

Joseph Elsberry
Born
Joseph Dubois Elsberry

April 25, 1921
Langston, Oklahoma, US
DiedMarch 31, 1985(1985-03-31) (aged 63)
Los Angeles, California, US
Resting placeArlington National Cemetery
Alma materLangston University
Occupations
  • Military officer
  • fighter pilot
Years active1942-1962

Joseph D. Elsberry (April 25, 1921 – March 31, 1985) was a U.S. Army Air Force officer and a prolific African-American World War II fighter pilot in the 332nd Fighter Group's 301st Fighter Squadron, best known as the famed Tuskegee Airmen, "Red Tails," or “Schwartze Vogelmenschen” ("Black Birdmen") among enemy German pilots.[1] Elsberry destroyed three enemy aircraft over France in a single mission on July 12, 1944, and a fourth aircraft in July 20, 1944, becoming the first African American fighter pilot in history to do so. He is only one of four Tuskegee Airmen to have earned three aerial victories in a single day of combat: Clarence Lester, Lee Archer (pilot), and Harry Stewart.[2]

Elsberry was one of the first African-American military aviators in the United States Army Air Corps, the United States Army Air Forces and later the U.S. Air Force, eventually earning the rank of Major before retiring in 1962.[1]

Elsberry was one of three Tuskegee Airmen to have come close to achieving the US Military's designation of flying ace.[3][4] Elsberry, Lee Archer and Edward L. Toppins each destroyed four enemy aircraft during missions in Europe.[5] None of these Tuskegee Airmen ever received a fifth “kill” which would have placed them in the “ace” category.[6][7] However, despite some contention, Lee Archer is considered by some as the first and only African American U.S. pilot in World War II to earn an "ace" designation.[8][9][10]

On September 10, 1944, Brigadier General Benjamin Davis Sr., the first African American to receive the rank of General and the father of Tuskegee Airmen commander Benjamin O. Davis Jr., awarded Elsberry the prestigious Distinguished Flying Cross. Elsberry received this award for single acts of heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights on July 12, 1944 and July 20, 1944.[11] Several major military leaders attended the ceremony including Ira C. Eaker, Commanding General of the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces, Nathan F. Twining, Commanding General of the 15th Air Force, and Dean C. Strother, Commanding General of the 306th Fighter Wing of the 15th Air Force.[1]

  1. ^ a b c "Joseph Dubois Elsberry". CAF RISE ABOVE. 2019-04-11. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  2. ^ "The People | Tuskegee Airmen Inc". Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  3. ^ "THE LEGEND OF THE AFRICAN AMERICAN ACE." Daniel Haulman, PhD. Air Force Historical Research Agency. https://www.afhra.af.mil/Portals/16/documents/Studies/AFD-141118-043.pdf
  4. ^ "The Aces | American Fighter Aces". 2018-07-11. Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  5. ^ Aces of WW2. "Tuskegee Airmen." https://acesofww2.com/tuskegee/
  6. ^ BlackPast. "The Tuskegee Airmen on BlackPast.org •". Retrieved 2023-06-14.
  7. ^ “TUSKEGEE EXPERIENCE”. Theopolis W. Johnson. https://www.tuskegee.edu/Content/Uploads/Tuskegee/files/TuskegeeExperience(1).pdf
  8. ^ Francis, Charles E. The Tuskegee Airmen. Boston: Bruce Humpries, Inc., 1955. pp. 92, 194.
  9. ^ "Tuskegee Airmen Ace of World War II, Dies." CBS News, January 29, 2010. Retrieved: December 25, 2012.
  10. ^ The First Tuskegee Ace of WWII | Dogfights | History, 17 February 2020, retrieved 2023-06-14
  11. ^ "Distinguished Flying Cross". The Institute of Heraldry: Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the ARMY. Archived from the original on 2013-12-24. Retrieved 2013-12-21.