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[[newspaper clipping]] THE DAILY HERALD–CIRCLEVILLE, OHIO Thursday, May 12, 1949 Lockbourne Air Base Is Due for Personnel Swap Pickaway countians, long used to seeing plates in the sky and knowing they were from Lockbourne air base, may soon have some new visitors. The nearly 2,000 members of the all-Negro 332nd Fighter Wing at Lockbourne are scheduled to be scattered and distributed into various other Air Force branches. Officials of Lockbourne are quoted as saying the personnel of the base would be redistributed under the new policy announced by Secretary of Defense Johnson. Johnson, whose aim is to distribute Negro Air Force men instead of concentrating them in one group, provides for assignment of enlisted men or officers on "basis of individual capacity." Col. Benjamin O. Davis Jr., highest ranking Negro Air Force officer at the base, is expected to be re-assigned after his graduation from Air University, Maxwell Field, Ala. Redistribution of the Lockbourne wing is expected to be completed shortly although no dates were announced. The Columbus base is expected to be used for some other regular Air Force unit. [[/newspaper clipping]] [[newspaper clipping]] THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Tuesday, May 17, 1949 First Move Made In Deactivation Of Fighter Wing First steps in the deactivation of the 332nd Fighter Wing started at 1 p. m. Tuesday when a personnel redistribution board started its work of integrating the Negro troops of that Lockbourne-based unit into other Air Force groups. Distribution of the officers and enlisted personnel of the 332nd Wing will depend on the promptness of the Air Force in moving a new unit into Lockbourne, Col. B. O. Davis, Jr., 332nd commanding officer, said Tuesday. At the same time he declared that no announcement had come from Washington as to the identify of the new Air Force unit which will occupy Lockbourne and his word was borne out by AF Washington representatives present at a Tuesday morning press conference. "Lockbourne Air Base will operate continuously as an Air Force field," he asserted. At the same time Colonel Davis announced his own reassignment and said that early in August he will go to Air War College at Maxwell Field, Va., the highest Air Force service school, for an 11-month period. Colonel Davis explained the mechanics of reassignment and declared that the first troops will "probably" be leaving Lockbourne by May 23, and that his personnel board's work should be done in three or three and one-half weeks. Members of the board are: Colonel Davis, president; Col. Martin D. Mannion and Maj. Johnson C. Crawford, headquarters, AF; Lt. Col. Thomas M. Noonan, Continental Air Command; Maj. John T. McDaniel and Lt. Don W. Lentz, Air Training Command; and Maj. Edward C. Gleed, Maj. George W. webb,, Maj. William A. Campbell, Capt. Hubert L. Jones, Capt. Elmore M. Kennedy and Capt. Ruth A. Lucas, all of Lockbourne. Maj. Thomas J. Money, Lockbourne, will be recorder. Officers in Colonel Davis' command will have personal interviews before the board. Enlisted men will be given two tests, by a team of two officers and 12 enlisted men, patern ocmpherension and airman qualification examinations, which will determine their fitness, job adatibility and proper assignment slot. The enlisted men will be divided into three categories, Colonel Davis said: (1) Those skilled in military occupational specialties and who should be reassigned immediately. (2) Those qualified for technical training, who will be sent to a service school. (3) Those who are not sufficiently qualified for technical school training, who are not recommended for a specific job, or who have not held a certain post long enough to have their fitness determined. In cases of doubt, the board will grant enlisted men personal interviews. Colonel Davis said that, in his opinion, a large percentage of the Lockbourne-based troops (numbered at approximately 1700) will stay in the Air Force. He declared that similar processing was now going on in Air Force establishments throughout the nation, in reassigning the Air Force's approximate 21,000 Negro soldiers. He also added that "it was quite possible" that some of the Lockbourne soldiers would be assigned to Europe or other foreign stations. Two other units based at Lockbourne and staffed by Negro troops, the 449th Signal Battalion and a weather detachment, will not be affected by the reassignment, the colonel said, as they are part of the Ground Forces and not the Air Force. There are 55 men in the two units. Redistribution and reassignment of all the Lockbourne enlisted personnel and officers will be decided in Air Force headquarters in the Pentagon in Washington, and will be based on the recommendations of the board. The 55th Fighter Wing and 166th Fighter Squadron, Ohio Air National Guard, and the 82nd Troop Carrier Squadron (reserve) are, of course, not affected by the redistribution order. Colonel Davis said that he would "stake his personal word" that the reassignment of officers and enlisted men to other units would not mean emotion in any case. [[/newspaper clipping]] [[newspaper clipping]] Ohio State Track Squad In Final '49 Home Meet By ART CICCONETTI NEWS Sport Writer Ohio State's track squad made their third and final home appearance for this season against Michigan Wednesday. The Bucks, with a record of one win and one defeat in their two previous outdoor dual meets this season had all they could handle in the tough Wolverines. Michigan lost a close one to the University of California and then bounced back to defeat the powerful Illini. In the indoor meeting between the two rivals, the Wolves snapped a five-meet losing streak by edging the Bucks. * * * MAL WHITFIELD came through with the performance of a true champion as he led the Ohio State track team to second place in the Big Nine meet at Evanston, Illinois last Saturday. In spite of Whitfield's sterling achievements, the Bucks took a back seat to Minnesota's Golden Gophers. The most stirring race of the day came in the half-mile which finished with Whitfield some six yards ahead of Wisconsin's ace Don Gehrmann. Both ran the first lap of the race watching for the other to make a break. Whitfield stepped out in front after the first lap and stayed there. Don Washington added to the Buck point total in the half-mile by finishing fourth behind Michigan's Herb Barten. THE OHIO STATE NEWS Saturday, May 28, 1949 [[/newspaper clipping]] [[newspaper clipping]] THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Wednesday, May 18, 1949 The 332nd Departs UNDER the U. S. Air Force's new policy of non-segregation, the 322nd, all-Negro Fighting Wing, stated at Lockbourne Air Force Base, will be abolished and its personnel integrated individually, according to qualifications and ability, throughout the Air Force at large. The administrative details and inactivation process is expected to require about 90 days. The people of Columbus, in noting the departure of this group which distinguished itself in the recent war and in subsequent peace-time training operations, will wish its members well in the new assignments and undertakings they will shortly assume. As neighbors for some time now of the 322nd, first and largest organization of its kind in the Air Force, we here have been aware of the unit's accomplishments and of the able leadership it has enjoyed under its commander, Col. Benjamin O. Davis. Although the organizational identity of the 322nd will be lost to its members, there is every reason to expect that the esprit and professional attainment of the group will continue to live in the future of its individual officers and enlisted men. [[/newspaper clipping]] [[newspaper clipping]] The Columbus Citizen TUESDAY, MAY 17, 1949 New Air Force Unit Coming Here Soon A new Air Force unit will move into Lockbourne Army Air Base probably within two weeks. This was revealed Tuesday by Air Force officials at the base. Identity of the new unit was not disclosed. The all-Negro 332nd Fighter Wing at the base is being disbanded under a new armed services policy to distribute Negroes throughout the Air Force rather than to retain them in separate groups. Col. Benjamin O. Davis Jr., commanding officer of the 332nd, said screening of the 245 officers and 1500 enlisted men at the base will begin at once. He said the base hopes to move out the first troops for reassignment by Monday. The job is expected to be finished in three weeks. Before all members of the Fighter Wing have been reassigned, Col. Davis said, the new unit will move in and begin to operate. A board of two officers and 12 enlisted men has been set up to screen enlisted personnel for new assignments. A board of officers from Washington, D.C., New York and Lackland Field, Tex., will screen the officers. [[/newspaper clipping]] [[newspaper clipping]] THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH Wednesday, May 18, 1949 Board Named to Screen Lockbourne Personnel [[image: group of men in front of building]] This personnel redistribution board will screen all of the enlisted personnel and officers of the 332nd Fighter Wing, Lockbourne Air Force base, prior to their reassignment by Washington AF headquarters. Left to right in the front row are: Maj. Edward C. Gleed, Lockbourne; Maj. John T. McDaniel, Air Training Command; Lt. Col. Thomas M. Noonan, headquarters, Continental Air Command; Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., Lockbourne commanding officer and board president; Col. Martin D. Mannion, headquarters, Air Force, and Maj. George W. Webb, Lockbourne. Rear row, left to right: Maj. Thomas K. Money, Lockbourne, board recorder; Capt. Ruth A. Lucas, Lockbourne; Maj. William A. Campbell, Lockbourne; Maj. Johnson C. Crawford, headquarters, Air Force; Capt. Hubert L. Jones, Lockbourne; Capt. Elmore M. Kennedy, Lockbourne, and Lt. Don W. Lentz, Air Training Command. [[/newspaper clipping]] [[newspaper clipping]] Fighter Wing Prepares to Leave Lockbourne Base [[image: photograph of man packing clothes]] [[caption]] AIRMET GET SET TO MOVE – Men of the 332nd Fighter Wing at the Lockbourne Army Air Base are preparing to move to new stations under the Air Force plan to integrate Negroes with other men in the Air Force. Screening of the 1700 men and officers is underway. Sgt. Thomas J. Fields (left) and Pfc. Lowery M. Johnson stow their gear away in a barracks bag as they prepare to leave Lockbourne. [[/caption]] [[image: photograph of plane]] [[caption]] PLANES, TOO, WILL GO – The fighter planes used by the 332nd are gassed up waiting for a signal to be flown to a new base. Identity of the new unit coming here has not been revealed. Lt. W. W. Savoy, public information officer from Washington, D.C., told reporters there was no social significance in the integration of the Negro troops with white troops but it was done by executive order to make the most of the Negro's ability and skill. [[/caption]] The Columbus Citizen FRIDAY, MAY 20, 1949 [[/newspaper clipping]] [[newspaper clipping]] CLEVELAND CALL and POST SATURDAY, MAY 28, 1949 Will Screen Negro Pilots for Unsegregated Service [[image: group of men in front of building]] COLUMBUS – Charged with the responsibility of screening members of the 332nd Fighter Group at Lockbourne Army Air Base for future assignments with previously all-white units is this Screening Board of Air Corps Officers. Screening is the first step in the Air Corps' determination to remove the last vestiges of segregation and discrimination from that service. Left to right-front row: Major Edward C. Gleed, Lockbourne AFB, Major John T. McDaniel, Air Training Command, Lt. Col. Thomas M. Noonan, Hq. Con. AC, Col. Benj. O. Davis, President, Col. Martin D. Mannion, Hq. USAF, Major George W. Webb, Lockbourne AFB. Back row left to right: Major Thomas K. Money, Lockbourne AFB, Capt. Ruth A. Lucas, Lockbourne AFB, Major William A. Campbell, Lockbourne AFB, Major Johnson C. Crawford, Hq. USAF; Capt. Hubert L. Jones, Lockbourne AFB, Capt. Elmore M. Kennedy, Lockbourne AFB, and Lt. Don W. Lentz, Air Training Command. [[/newspaper clipping]] [[newspaper clipping]] The Afro-American, May 21, 1949 332nd Doomed as Air Force End JC; Single Standard Set for All Personnel WASHINGTON Speculation as to what will happen to the 332nd Fighter Wing at Lockbourne Air Force Base, Columbus, Ohio, under the Air Force's new general integration policy, was ended when Secretary of Defense Louis Johnson officially announced Wednesday that the 332nd will be deactivated. The Johnson order also stated that he has approved policies proposed by the Air Force to assure equality of treatment and opportunity for all members of its personnel. The policy statement provides that one standard shall govern the utilization of both colored and white personnel in the Air Force. The new policy, which began early in 1948 as a routine staff study, is effective immediately and, under present plans, is to be completely in operation on or about Dec. 31, 1949. Under the order, Lockbourne Air Base as such will not be inactivated. It has not been determined, however, what unit will replace the 332nd Fighter Wing, Secretary (Continued on Page 2 Column 3) 332nd Doomed as Air Force End JC; Single Standard Set for All Personnel (Continued from Page 1) Johnson stated. He added that he is studying statements from the Army and Navy concerning their personnel practices and policies and has requested additional clarifying information before making a decision. He has directed that this information be submitted to him through Chairman Thomas R. Reid of the NME Personnel Policy Board by May 25. That directive was issued by Secretary Johnson almost immediately after he took office last month. The proposals to assure equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the Air Force, regardless of race, color, religion or national origin, provide for the assignment and utilization of colored personnel on the basis of individual capacity. It permits general assignment of such individuals on an Air Force basis. Heretofore, colored personnel has been assigned only to special type units. "Highly Skilled Men" in Group The Johnson statement continued: "The majority of highly skilled colored specialists are presently assigned to the 332nd. Members of the 2,000-man unit will be considered individually for reassignment throughout the air force and to training schools consonant with the need of Air Force command and with individual capabilities." The 332nd Fighter Group was activated in October, 1942. It was composed of three fighter squadrons and the 96th Service Group. The 332nd contained approximately 100 administrative and flying officers, all colored. The administrative officers had been trained in Air Force officer candidate schools in such services as supply personnel, military intelligence and statistical duties and the ground crews had been trained at various Army Air Force technical schools throughout the country. Soon after its activation, the 332nd was transferred to Selfridge Field in Michigan for unit training. Colonel Davis Made Head In Oct., 1943, Lt. Col. Benjamin O. Davis Jr., who had been in command of the 99th Fighter Squadron and who had spent some time int he Mediterranean with that squadron, was recalled to command the 332nd. He was a member of the first class to graduate from Tuskegee Flying School. In Jan., 1944, on completion of unit training, the 332nd left for overseas. The first colored units to be organized in the Air Force were designated aviation squadrons and were stationed at various bases where the individuals could be utilized in accordance with their qualifications. March 7, 1942, a Big Day Original plans were initiated for formation of a flying unit in Jan., 1941. The program got under way in the summer of 1941 at Tuskegee. The first group was graduated on March 7, 1942. Successive classes graduated until there were 40 pilots, enough to form the 99th Fighter Squadron. During that period, between 250 and 300 ground crew personnel for the 99th had been technically trained. The 99th completed unit training in October, 1942, and departed for Africa the following April. After six months, the outfit was sent to Italy, where it later was made a part of the 332nd. The 332nd cam back from overseas in June, 1945, and shortly thereafter was inactivated. The 99th was then activated in Godman Field, Ky., as part of the 477th Composite Group, which moved from Godman Field to Lockbourne in 1946 and was deactivated late in 1947. Early in 1948 the 332nd was reactivated on the Lockbourne Base and named the 332nd Fighter Wing, with Colonel Davis as commander. Colonel Davis is listed to attend the Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base, Montgomery, Fla., in August. [[/newspaper clipping]] [[newspaper clipping]] OHIO STATE JOURNAL Thurs., May 19, 1949 UNIFORM & CIVVIES By James H. Speckman Shift Lockbourne Men The first of Lockbourne Air Force personnel affected by the Negro integration program of the USAF are expected to leave Monday for new reassignments. A personal redistribution board began working their Tuesday and is scheduled to complete its work in less than four weeks. With the breaking up of the 332nd Fighter Wing, its commanding office, Col. Benjamin O. Davis, jr., will go to the Air War College, Maxwell Field, Va., in August for an 11-month course. As wing personnel leave, and probably in two weeks, another Air Force unit will move into Lockbourne AFB. The new unit has not been designated. National Guard and reserve units at Lockbourne are not affected by the change there. [[/newspaper clipping]] [[newspaper clipping]] OHIO STATE JOURNAL Published Daily Except Sunday by THE OHIO STATE JOURNAL CO. 4 SATURDAY, MAY 21, 1949 They'll Be Missed To those members of the 332nd Fighter Wing who soon will leave Lockbourne Air Force Base for other assignments, there is due a parting salute from this community and a "Bon Voyage." This all-Negro flying unit, one of the best in the Air Force, is about to lose its identity and its personnel will be scattered throughout the USAF. The exemplary conduct of the wing members under the command of Col. Benjamin O. Davis, jr., during their three years at Lockbourne is to be commended to the higher echelons of the Air Force. This same efficiency, and courtesy, that has won many Columbus friends should go far in carrying departing wing personnel to equal success on new assignments. The Fighter Wing will be the first to feel the effect of a new policy of distributing Negroes throughout the Air Force instead of concentrating them in special units. The 2000 men and women at Lockbourne affected by this non-segregation policy are to be given equal opportunity and treatment in the Air Force and each will be assigned on the basis of individual capacity. Some will go to training schools. Col. Davis is one of those scheduled for school – this at the Air College – after which he will take his place in the Air Force as any other full colonel. His friends here wish him as much success as that won by his illustrious father, an Army brigadier general, now retired. In the breaking up of the wing, the Air Force loses the 332nd Fighter Squadron, a unit which saw much service in Italy and Europe generally, during World War II. Regrets over this loss may be counterbalanced by the benefits gained under the new policy. The impression left by the 332nd Fighter Wing with Columbus has been excellent, unmarred by a few individual incidents in which members have been involved. Its coming and going is like that of all other units of the Armed Forces under continuing changes of policy and personnel. But in passing, the 332nd Fighter Wing must be given proper recognition for a public relations task well done in addition to military duties. [[/newspaper clipping]] [[newspaper clipping]] Saturday, May 21, 1949 THE OHIO STATE NEWS U.S. Air Force 'Integration' Plan Starts At Lockbourne; Kill 332nd WASHINGTON (NNPA) The Air Force plan for intergration of Negro personnel to assure equality of treatment and opportunity for all of its members was approved last week by Defense Secretary Louis Johnson. The Air Force plan was worked out several months ago, but was not put into effect at the request of former Secretary of the Army Kenneth Royall. Replying to a directive of April 6 from Johnson to the Army, Navy and Air Force to examine their present personnel practices on equality of treatment and opportunity to "determine what forward steps can and should be made." Air Secretary Symington directed attention to the Air Force plan for integration of its Negro personnel. The Air Force plan provides for the assignment and utilization of Negroes on the basis of "individual capacity." It permits assignment of them on an Air Force-wide basis. Previously, Negro personnel had been restricted to special Jimcrow units in the Air Force. First step in the implementation of the Air Force's new policy, Secretary Johnson said, is the deactivation of the 332d Fighter Wing, an all-Negro tactical group based at Lockbourne Air Base in Columbus. This is the only Negro Air Force combat unit, and a majority of the highly-skilled Negro Force specialists are assigned to it. Members of the 332nd will be considered individually for reassignment throughout the Air Force and to training schools, according to the need of Air Force commands and with individual capacities. Col. O. Davis Jr., commander of the Lockbourne Air Base and of the 332nd, will probably be sent to the Air University at Maxwell Field, Montgomery, Ala., for further training prior to reassignment. SECRETARY JOHNSON also announced that he is studying reports received from the Army and Navy concerning their personnel practices and policies. In effect, the new policy will end race segregation in the Air Force and substitute a policy of "integration." Some units however, may continue to be manned entirely by Negro personnel. [[image: photograph of B.O. Davis captioned - COL. DAVIS . . . "ousted"]] Postwar policy of the Army calls for employment of Negro troops in separate regiments, battalions and companies, organized as parts of larger units, and for replacement of white officers assigned to Negro troops with negro officers who are qualified to fill the assignment. The Navy has adopted a non-segregation and non-discrimination policy, which is largely on paper. THE NEW AIR FORCE policy will be put into effect immediately and, under present plans, is to be completely in operation by Dec. 31, 1949. Present Negro strength in the Air Force is 21,026, representing seven percent of the total figure. Of that number, 315 are officers, five are warrant officers, and the balance, 20,705, are enlisted personnel. Assigned to Lockbourne are approximately 1,800 enlisted men and women and 200 officers. Among the officers are Army nurses and four Women Air Force officers. Other Negro personnel throughout the Air Force will be screened by their respective commands and their capabilities re-evaluated with a view to possible assignment changes or additional training, as indicated by individual cases. Prior policy, taken from the Army, has specified that 10 percent of the Air Force strength be composed of Negro personnel – a figure based on the percentage of Negroes in the national population. Secretary Johnson said, "The new policy will relieve the earlier, administratively difficult and expensive effort to absorb the total Negro quota into a few specialized units and into certain selected vocational specialities." [[/newspaper clipping]]
