Wednesday, October 9, 2019

Georgians, French Honor Aviation and Civil Rights Pioneer 2nd Lt. Eugene Bullard

By Maj. William Carraway
Historian, Georgia Army National Guard
Corporal Eugene Jacques Bullard during WWI and the bronze likeness of 2nd Lt. Bullard which now stands at the Museum of Aviation at
Robins Air Force Base, Ga. WWI Image courtesy of the United States Air Force. Georgia National Guard collage by Maj. William Carraway
The Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force Base, Ga. hosted a ceremony honoring the life and service of Eugene Bullard, the first African American fighter pilot and veteran of two world wars. Colonel Dawson Plummer, commander of the 194th Armored Brigade based at Fort Benning, Ga. and a graduate of the Tuskegee Institute spoke of Bullard’s legacy and enduring impact.

“We all owe a great deal of gratitude to Lieutenant Bullard for being a true pioneer, not only in the aviation community but for how he persevered over discrimination and proved that anybody can do anything if they put their mind to it.”

Five members of the original Tuskegee Airmen joined 22 of Bullard’s family members, senior military leaders and French dignitaries in the tribute organized by the Georgia World War I Commission. Consul General Vincent Hommeril, Consul General of France in Atlanta, offered insight into the international reach of Bullard’s story.

Consul General Vincent Hommeril, Consul General of France in
Atlanta offers words of tribute during a ceremony honoring 2nd Lt.
Eugene Bullard, the first African American fighter pilot and veteran
of two world wars Oct. 9, 2019 at the Museum of Aviation at
Robins Air Force Base, Ga. Georgia National Guard
photo by Maj. William Carraway
“Bullard’s life and exploits are symbolic of the strong ties that link France and the United States, nations that have long worked together to promote democracy and freedom,” said Hommeril. “May this statue honor his accomplishments and remain as a living symbol of French and American friendship for years to come.”

The ceremony concluded with the unveiling of a bronze statue of Bullard on the grounds of the museum. Colonel Ato Crumbly, the first African American commander of the Georgia Air National Guard’s 116th Air Control Wing thanked the Ga. World War I Commission and others who contributed to the day’s events and predicted that the Bullard statue would inspire future generations.

“When people walk by (the statue), read the name then Google it and learn about his legacy, it is going to continue and propagate, and the word will spread.”

Retired United States Air Force Brig. Gen. Leon Johnson, National President of Tuskegee Airmen Inc. and Colonel Ato Crumbly, the first African American
commander of the Georgia Air National Guard’s 116th Air Control Wing participate in a ceremony honoring aviation pioneer 2nd Lt. Eugene Bullard
Oct. 9, 2019 at the Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force Base, Ga. Georgia National Guard photo by Maj. William Carraway
Bullard, the son of a former slave, was born in Columbus, Ga. October 9, 1895. Leaving a troubled home in 1906 at the age of 11, Bullard wandered for six years seeking opportunity but finding discrimination and racism in a segregated Jim Crow society. In 1912, Bullard stole aboard a ship bound for the United Kingdom. Making his way to London, Bullard found work as an entertainer and boxer. In 1913, he visited Paris for a boxing match and elected to stay having found the French culture to his liking.

Bullard with his aircraft in France. Image Courtesy of U.S.
Air Force.
In August 1914, Germany declared war on France. Bullard enlisted in the French Army in October 1914, nearly three years before American troops entered combat. Bullard was seriously wounded in March 1916 while serving with the French 170th Infantry Regiment, 48th Infantry Division. Recovering from his wounds, Bullard volunteered for aviation service and completed his flight training in May 1917. Bullard flew more than 20 combat missions before the end of the war.

William Bullard, contemplates the bronze statue of 2nd Lt.
Eugene Bullard, first African American fighter pilot and veteran
of two world wars who was honored during a ceremony Oct. 9, 2019
at the Museum of Aviation at Robins Air Force Base, Ga.
 Georgia National Guard photo by Maj. William Carraway
After the armistice, Bullard remained in France where he worked as a musician and nightclub manager. When Germany invaded France in 1940, Bullard again enlisted as an infantryman. He was again wounded in action and returned to the United States the following month after escaping German-held France. Despite his fame overseas, Bullard faded into obscurity in his home country. In 1961, shortly before his death, Bullard, a decorated veteran of two world wars, whom Charles De Gaulle had dubbed a Knight of the Legion of Honor, was working as an elevator operator in New York City. He died October 12, 1961 at the age of 66.

In the decades following his death, the story of Bullard’s life and service has received greater attention. In 1989, Bullard was inducted into the Georgia Aviation Hall of Fame. Five years later he was recognized with a a second lieutenant’s commission in the U.S. Air Force. Now, more than 100 years after his historic first flight, his statue stands as an inspiring beacon for future generations.

Speaking at a reception following the statue unveiling, Maj. Gen. Tom Carden, Adjutant General of the Georgia Department of Defense, spoke to the family of Eugene Bullard, the Tuskegee Airmen and all those who contributed to the dedication of the statue.

“They say it’s never too late to do the right thing and if I have ever seen an example of those words in action, I have seen it here today at this great museum,” said Carden. “I want to personally thank you for your service, your sacrifice and for making sure our state never forgets Eugene Bullard and what he has done for our country.”


Original Tuskegee Airmen present for the ceremony honoring 2nd Lt. Eugene Bullard,
African American aviation pioneer of World War I. Photo by Maj. William Carraway



Tuesday, October 1, 2019

Fallen Soldiers of the 121st Infantry Regiment Honored and Remembered in France

By Maj. William Carraway
Historian, Georgia Army National Guard


Private 1st Class William Grey of Company C, 121st Infantry Regiment was honored during a ceremony at the Brittany American Cemetery in Montjoie St. Martin, France September 29, 2019. Grey was killed in action September 17, 1944 near Brest, France at the age of 23. Joining representatives of French patriotic associations in honoring Grey are Capt. Dan Nichols of the Georgia Army National Guard; David Bedford, Superintendent of the Brittany American Cemetery and Jean Francois Pellouais. Photo by Nathalie Robillard.

In August 1944, the 121st Infantry Regiment of the Georgia National Guard swept into Brittany, France. By September, the 121st, as part of the 8th Infantry Division, had captured the fortified port city of Brest France and eliminated German resistance on the Crozon Peninsula. Seventy-five years later, during a ceremony at the Brittany American Cemetery in Montjoie St. Martin, French citizens and veterans remembered the fallen Soldiers of the 121st and other American Soldiers who fell during the Normandy and Brittany campaigns.

“We have a duty to remember,” said Jean Francois Pellouais, master of ceremonies who has arranged tributes to the fallen since 2011. “I take part and organize these tributes to promote the duty of memory so that these young men do not return to the shadow of history.”

Citizens and representatives of eleven veteran and civic associations gathered in the Chapel of the Brittany American Cemetery on a rainy Sunday morning for the commemoration ceremony. Inside the chapel, flanked by color bearers of French patriotic associations, were the images of fallen service members. Among those honored were Pfc. Elbert B. Griffin, Pvt. John T. Taggart, and Pfc. William P. Grey of the 121st Infantry Regiment who fell in Brittany.

The Georgia Army National Guard Soldiers of the 121st Infantry honored during the ceremony were, (left to right) Pfc. William P. Grey, Pfc. Elbert B. Griffin and Pvt. John T. Taggart, and Pfc. William P. Grey. Photo by Nathalie Robillard.

Pellouais opened the ceremony with introductory comments before reading a poem that had been provided for the occasion by Yuri Beckers of Holland. The poem, titled "We Must Remember," was written in tribute to the 9th Infantry Division Soldiers and all those who reside at the Brittany American Cemetery.

Five-year-old Violette and Capt. Dan Nichols of the Georgia Army National
 Guard prepare to place a rose in honor of fallen American service members
during a ceremony at the Brittany American Cemetery in Montjoie St. Martin,
France September 29, 2019. Photo by Nathalie Robillard.
Among those participating in the wreath laying ceremony was Capt. Dan Nichols of the Georgia Army National Guard. Nichols was attending school in the United Kingdom when he learned of the commemoration.

“To be a part of the ceremony was an honor, said Nichols. “This is my second time witnessing the gratitude of the French people for the American sacrifice in World War II, and it is genuine.”


A solemn procession of citizens came forward following the wreath-laying to place roses in remembrance of the nearly 5,000 fallen and missing American Soldiers who are memorialized in the 28-acre Brittany American Cemetery. Among those was 5-year old Violette who joined Nichols in the laying of a rose. Following a moment of silence, the somber notes of Taps filled the chapel as the French associations’ colors dipped in salute.

The chapel at the Brittany American Cemetery in Montjoie St. Martin, France
where fallen American service members of World War II were honored by French
 citizens during a ceremony September 29, 2019. Photo by Nathalie Robillard.
The ceremony continued on the cemetery grounds as the French citizens placed roses on the graves of fallen service members. In addition to rendering honors to the fallen Soldiers of the 121st Infantry, ceremony observed the placement of a rose and minute of silence at the graves of MC1 Richard Neil Johnson, Pvt. Charles P. Rock, Pfc. Roland Vanderkerkove and Pvt. Harvey E. Hyllested. The final visit was to the grave of an unknown American Soldier, where honors were rendered on behalf of all of the fallen.

The ceremony concluded with words of thanks from Mr. Jean-Francois Pellouais to Mr. David W. Bedford, superintendent of the Brittany American Cemetery in which Pellouais offered final words of gratitude and “a last gesture of Franco-American friendship towards these young soldiers who are resting for the eternity for one word: ‘Freedom.’"

Nichols summed up his experience at the memorial with an expression of gratitude to those who had arranged the ceremony and invited him to attend.

Images of the American Service members, who fell during World War II, that were
honored by French citizens at the Brittany American Cemetery in Montjoie
St. Martin, France during a ceremony Sept 29, 2019. Photo by Nathalie Robillard. 
“There are no requirements, or quid pro quo for the French veterans and citizens who perform these memorials,” observed Nichols. “They ask for nothing, and quite often no Americans are present. Yet they do them anyway. Their children and grandchildren do them. It is out a sense of honor that they remember the sacrifice of our Soldiers, and it was an honor for me to share this moment with them.”

Pellouais had a special message for the members of the Georgia National Guard.
“I wish to say that the French, young or old, humble and respectful, are bearers of your story,” said Pellouais. “We evoke the sacrifice of the soldiers of the National Guard of Georgia whose blood has mingled, like thousands of other GI's, with the soil of our land to give liberty to our parents, to France but especially to the whole world. Long live the Franco-American friendship that has united our two countries since Lafayette.”