|
| |
|
|
L-R:
Rev. Gerald Lamont Thomas,
Tuskegee Airman - Malcolm
Nettingham, Rev. Sheila Thorpe,
?, Martha Nolley,
Tuskegee Airman - Charles
Nolley, ?, ?
|
|
|
|
L-R: Rev. Gerald Lamont
Thomas, Tuskegee Airman -
Malcolm Nettingham, Rev. ?,
Martha Nolley, Tuskegee
Airman - Charles Nolley
|
|
|
|
Malcolm
Nettingham
Tuskegee Airman
|
|
Malcolm Nettingham was born in New York City, NY October 1, 1918 to the late John
and Alice Nettingham. When he was five years old, he moved with his parents to
Scotch Plains, NJ. Malcolm attended Scotch Plains High School, he enrolled in the Jersey
City Technical Institute. Two years later he received his Certificate of Completion from
the Institute.
Malcolm entered the Armed Services at Fort Dix, New Jersey in 1944. He completed his
basic training at Keesler Field, MS and then applied for and was accepted (among the
1000's of applications) for training as an Army Air Corps Flight Radio Operator. In
August 1944, Nettingham completed his training for Radio Mechanic/Operator at
Scotts Field, Illinois as a member of the first racially integrated flight radio class to be
trained by the Air Corps. In 1945 Nettingham was assigned to the 617th Squadron,
477th Composite Group as Radio Operator/Gunner on a B-25 Aircraft - another first
racially integrated class to be trained in that position. He was honorably discharged in
June 1946.
The Tuskegee Airmen overcame discrimination and prejudice to become one of the
most highly respected groups of service members during World War II. Their
achievements, together with the men and women who supported them, paved the way
for full integration of the U.S. military. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest
civilian honor Congress may bestow -- Mr. Nettingham is among the 300 Tuskegee
airmen who received this award.
Still active in the community, Malcolm is a member of Alpha Lodge #116 F&AM in East
Orange, NJ. He is a member in good standing at the Metropolitan Baptish Church in
Scotch Plains, with Rev. Clement Griffen, Pastor. He has been in service for Lord for
more than 75 years, singing songs of Zion in the Men's Chorus and the Voices of
Metropolitan. During the early years of his ministry he enjoyed teaching Sunday
School. He has spent much of his life encouraging young people to do their best and to
work hard to accomplish their dreams.
Malcolm currently resides in Scotch Plains and is blessed with the love of his son,
Malcolm V. Nettingham and daughter, Deborah and his five grandchildren and six great
grandchildren. His wife of 70 years, the late Lorena Coles Nettingham, transitioned to
be with the Lord in May 2011.
|
|
| |
Charles
Nolley
Tuskegee Airman
|
|
Charles Nolley was born in Atlanta on June 14, 1917 son of Mr. Charles and Edith
Nolley. He attended public schools in Atlanta until he was 16 at which time he struck
out on his own. Heading north, Nolley landed in Montclair, NJ and lived in the YMCA
there. Later he moved to Newark where the mother of a friend allowed him to stay and
attend Arts High until graduation. From there, Nolley put himself thorugh college at
Virginia State University. After receiving his degree from VA State, he entered
Columbia University and obtained his Master's Degree.
Nolley was drafted into the Army. He took advantage of participating in the Tuskegee
Airmen project because it offered him a $6.00 increase in pay. Mr. Nolley recalls the
rigorous training that the Airmen went through. he said "they were not allowed to
fight; so they stayed together and trained, and trained, and trained."
One day Eleanor Rossevelt visited this training camp and asked why the were not
fighting... In fact her question was "Can Negros fly?" Chief (one of the Airmen) took her
up in a plane over the objections of the Secret Service. She became the Tuskegee
Airmen's number one supporter.
By the time they were allowed to fight the Airmen had trained for so long that they
were the best trained fighters in the world. Nolley, a fighter pilot, flew many missions
and was ever so proud that his group never lost a bomber over Germany or to any
enemy aircraft. He recalls that after a few missions, the Nazi's were afraid of the red
tailed fighters. And Mr. Nolley agreed "they should have been afraid (of us) because
the Airmen were in camp being shot at like their white counterparts. Yet we were
treated so unfairly. There were Nazi prisoners in the camp and even they could go into
buildings and movie theaters where we could not go because of our color. We suffered
from extreme racism, and we took the hurt and anger that was given to us and gave it
back to the Germans in a big way! We used our anger against the enemy of the United
States... and we helped win the war!"
After the war, Nolley taught Art then became a Vice Principal at Barringer High School.
He remains active in Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and the American Legion Post
251. he has received numerous awards but was truly honored when he received the
Congressional Gold Medal and was inducted in the Newark Teacher's Union Hall of
Fame. Mr. Nolley lives in Edison with his wife of 46 years, Martha. They have two
children, Liz and Richard.
|
|
|
