A-Train: Memoirs of a Tuskegee Airman

Charles W. Dryden

University of Alabama Press, Apr 30, 1997 - Biography & Autobiography - 421 pages

A moving personal account by one of the first Tuskegee airmen which illustrates the period of racial integration in American military and civilian life

A-Train is the story of one of the black Americans who, during World War II, graduated from Tuskegee (AL) Flying School and served as a pilot in the Army Air Corps’ 99th Pursuit Squadron. Charles W. Dryden presents a fast-paced, balanced, and personal account of what it was like to prepare for a career traditionally closed to African Americans, how he coped with the frustrations and dangers of combat, and how he, along with many fellow black pilots, navigators, bombardiers, and crewmen, emerged with a magnificent war record.

Under the command of Colonel Benjamin O. Davis Jr., the Tuskegee airmen fought over North Africa, Sicily, and Europe, escorting American bomber crews who respected their "no-losses" record. Some were shot down, many of them were killed or captured by the enemy, and several won medals of valor and honor. But the airmen still faced great barriers of racial prejudice in the armed forces and at home. As a member of that elite group of young pilots who fought for their country overseas while being denied civil liberties at home, Dryden presents an eloquent story that will touch each and every reader.

Contents

• Dismissed 3 July 1944: 3
• Over Here 194 July 1945February 1946: 205
• Over ThereAgain 260 July 1950February 1952: 297

About the author

Lieutenant Colonel Charles W. Dryden is retired from the U.S. Air Force following 20 years of service with action during World War II and the Korean War. He holds an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Hofstra University. Lieutenant General Benjamin O. Davis Jr. is retired from the U.S. Air Force and is author of American: An Autobiography.

Bibliographic information

• Title: A-Train: Memoirs of a Tuskegee Airman
• Author: Charles W. Dryden
• Edition: illustrated, reprint
• Publisher: University of Alabama Press, 1997
• Original from: the University of Michigan
• Digitized: Jan 8, 2010
• ISBN: 0817308563, 9780817308568
• Length: 421 pages
• Subjects: Biography & Autobiography / Cultural, Ethnic & Regional / African American & Black; Biography & Autobiography / Cultural, Ethnic & Regional / General; Biography & Autobiography / General; Biography & Autobiography / Military; History / Military / Aviation & Space; History / Wars & Conflicts / World War II / General; Technology & Engineering / Military Science