William Benjamin Ellis | |
|---|---|
| Born | April 24, 1916 |
| Died | April 3, 2010 (aged 93) |
| Occupation | military pilot |
William B. Ellis (April 24, 1916 – April 3, 2010) was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, a World War II-era group of African-American fighters who overcame the color barrier to become highly-decorated members of the U.S. military.[1] While stationed at Freeman Field, Ellis was one of 60 African American officers who refused to accept the illegal segregation that prevented them from using the whites-only officers club. He was arrested along with the other 60 officers and subsequently threatened with court-martial when he refused to sign a document acknowledging the rules barring Black officers from the club. This act of civil disobedience, frequently referred to as the Freeman Field Mutiny, was a first step towards ending official segregation in the U.S. Armed Services.[1]
Biography edit
Early life edit
William Benjamin Ellis was born April 24, 1916 to James and Emma Ellis in Atlanta, Georgia.[1] He and his older brother grew up in Washington, D.C. after the family moved there from Atlanta where he attended Armstrong Technical High School.[1][2] After graduating from high school, Ellis attended Miner Teachers College.[1]
Military service and Participation in the Freeman Field Mutiny edit
Ellis joined the Army on February 17, 1941 after leaving Miner and trained at Fort George G. Meade in Maryland before his transfer orders to the Tuskegee Army Air Field came in 1942.[2] Once at Tuskegee, Ellis trained to be a fighter pilot.[1] He graduated as part of Class 43G on July 23, 1943 with his commission as 1st Lieutenant.[1]
In April 1945, Ellis and 60 other black officers of the 477th Bombardment Group stationed at Freeman Field in Indiana challenged the illegal segregation that kept them from using the officers club on the base by dressing up in their military dress uniforms and insisting on entering the club.[1] They were all arrested, though all but three were released within two days of the arrests. Shortly thereafter, 100 of the black officers were called in and ordered to sign a document indicating that they understood the regulation prohibiting them as African Americans from entering the all-white officers' club. When they categorically refused, they were arrested again.[1] In response to the public uproar over the event, the U.S. military began officially investigating the issue of segregation in the U.S. Armed Services.[1] He remained a member of the military until 1950.[1]
Civilian life edit
After leaving the military, Ellis enrolled at American University in Washington, D.C., graduating with a bachelor's degree in accounting and business in 1953.[1] He then moved to Los Angeles sometime later in the 1950s, where he began a career as a financial consultant and then tax inspector.[1] He ultimately became a deputy assessor for Los Angeles County.[1]
Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. activities edit
Ellis was a co-founder of the Los Angeles Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.[1] He became one of 10 donors who pledged to donate $10,000 apiece to create a scholarship fund.[1] As part of his work with the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., he spoke as a guest speaker and lecturer at schools throughout Southern California.[1]
Partner edit
Ellis' partner of more than 50 years was Olivia Clement.[1]
Death and legacy edit
Ellis died of complications from Alzheimer's disease on April 3, 2010 at a hospice in Riverside, California.[1] His papers are housed at the University of California Riverside Libraries' Special Collections & Archives.[3]
Further reading edit
- Conversations in Monrovia; Ralph Walker interviews Tuskegee Airmen (includes William B. Ellis)
References edit
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s Nelson, Valerie J. (May 25, 2010). "William B. Ellis dies at 93; helped break racial barriers as one of the Tuskegee Airmen". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
- ^ a b "William Benjamin ELLIS obituary". Los Angeles Times. May 20, 2010. Retrieved 18 December 2013.
- ^ "Manuscripts Collections". University of California, Riverside. Retrieved 20 December 2013.
External links edit
- Tuskegee Airmen at Tuskegee University
- Tuskegee Airmen Archives at the University of California, Riverside Libraries.
- Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.
- Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)
- Tuskegee Airmen National Museum
Category:World War II
Category:Tuskegee Airmen
Category:African-American military personnel
Category:American military personnel of World War II