MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. – Lt. Eugene J. Richardson, Jr, a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, the nation’s first African-American fighter pilots to see combat during World War II, will visit the USS Yorktown on October 15 for a Meet and Greet with the public.
The achievements of the Tuskegee Airmen, an elite group of African-American fighter pilots, and support personnel, not only exemplified excellence in aviation, but also symbolized a pivotal movement in the struggle for civil rights.
Lt. Richardson, a charter member of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, served in the Army Air Corps during World War II. In recognition of the exemplary service of the Tuskegee Airmen, President Harry S. Truman signed a 1948 Executive Order ending segregation in the military.
"We are honored to provide this unique opportunity for the community to connect with a member of the Tuskegee Airmen,” said Allison Hunt, Executive Director, Patriots Point Development Authority. “This event not only celebrates the heroic achievements of these remarkable individuals, but it also offers a chance to learn about their enduring legacy.” Lt. Richardson will share personal experiences and insights about his time in the service, including the challenges and triumphs that define the Tuskegee Airmen’s legacy. Attendees will have the opportunity to speak with Lt. Richardson and to watch a documentary about the Tuskegee Airmen, In Their Own Words: The Tuskegee Airmen, in the Smokey Stover Theater.
Meet and Greet Details: Date: Sunday, October 15 Time: 12-2pm Location: Hangar Bay, USS Yorktown at Patriots Point Admission: Included in price of ticket.