Robert Ashby (Tuskegee Airman)

Robert Ashby
Born	Robert Ashby July 17, 1926 Yemassee, South Carolina,U.S.
Died	March 5, 2021(2021-03-05)(aged 94) Sun City, Arizona,U.S.
Resting place	Cremated
Occupations	Military officer fighter pilot
Years active	1944–1965

Robert Ashby(July 17, 1926 – March 5, 2021) was aU.S. Army Air Force/U.S. Air Forceofficer and pilot with the all-African American332nd Fighter Group–Tuskegee Airmen.He was one of the 1007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots.

Hired byFrontier Airlinesin 1973, Ashby became one of the first few African Americans to work as a commercial airline pilot for a major commercial airline.During his new-hire training class at Frontier, Ashby trained withEmily Howell Warner,the first female ever to be promoted to airline captain at a major commercial airline.

Ashby was first and onlyTuskegee Airmento work as a commercial airline pilot captain with a major commercial U.S. airline.

On March 29, 2007, Ashby and the collectiveTuskegee Airmenreceived theCongressional Gold Medal,the highest civilian award presented byU.S. Congress.

Early life, education, family

Ashby was born on July 17, 1926, inYemassee,inHampton County, South Carolina.As a child, Ashby delivered the local African American newspaper to earn money. He graduated fromJames J. Ferris High SchoolinJersey City, New Jersey.

Years later, Ashby obtained college training with theUniversity of MarylandandUCLAthrough the “on base” College Program.

Military service

At age 17, Ashby enlisted in theU.S. Army Air Corps's Aviation Cadet program. In August 1944, the U.S. Army stationed Ashby at Keesler Field inMississippifor both basic training and entrance testing for the Aviation Cadet Program. In December 1944, the U.S. Army transferred Ashby toTuskegee, Alabamafor cadet pilot training on the StearmanPT-17,AT-6,and theB-25.

On November 20, 1945, Ashby graduated with the Tuskegee Cadet Pilot Class TE-45-H, receiving a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant.

The U.S. Air Force transferred Ashby to Japan to aid in the post-World War IIpreoccupation. However, two all-white flying units refused to allow him to fly based on the unit's de factoracial segregationpolicies.He was later stationed in South Korea and in Europe, serving as a flight instructor.

In July 1965, Ashby retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Lieutenant Colonel.

Commercial airline pilot career

In 1965,United Airlineshired Ashby as a flight operations instructor, working on the team that developed its inaugural747-flight training program. Unfortunately, the airline later furloughed Ashby under the “last hired/first fired” to reduce the airline's allegedly bloated pilot roster.

In July 1973, Ashby became one of the first few African Americans to work as a commercial airline pilot for a major commercial airline,Frontier Airlines.In 1963,African-AmericanpilotMarlon Greenwon a landmarkUnited States Supreme Courtdecision which helped dismantleracial discriminationin theAmericanpassenger airline industry. Green flew forContinental Airlinesfrom 1965 to 1978. Green's case led to African American pilotDavid Harris' 1964 hire as the very first African-American commercial airline pilot for a major commercial airline.

During his new hire onboarding training at Frontier, Ashby trained withEmily Howell Warner,the first female commercial airline Pilot Captain of a major commercial airline.While at Frontier, Ashby flew theTwin Otter,Convair 580,Boeing 737andMD-80.

In 1986, Ashby retired from Frontier Airlines with the rank of Captain.He is considered the first African American commercial airline pilot for major commercial airlines to reach the mandatory retirement age of 60.He was the only known member of the Tuskegee Airmen to work as a commercial airline Pilot Captain with a major airlines.

Death

Ashby died on March 5, 2021, inSun City, Arizona,aged 95. He was cremated. Ashby was one of three last-survivingTuskegee Airmenliving in the U.S. state ofArizona.

See also

• Executive Order 9981
• List of Tuskegee Airmen
• List of Tuskegee Airmen Cadet Pilot Graduation Classes
• Military history of African Americans