EDITOR’S NOTE: This story has been updated to accurately reflect Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson’s correct rank. We regret the error.
HOLLAND (WHTC-AM/FM) — Detroit resident and retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson, 97, arrived in Holland to join the Quality Car Wash Muziekparade Saturday, May 11, 2019, without knowing what to expect, besides tulips and a 90-minute ride with friends in a red Mustang, bedecked with images from his World War II days. The four-wheeled Mustang: a nod to the North American Aviation P-51 Mustang he flew during the war.
Jefferson is one of the first black U.S. miliary pilots, recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, and Purple Heart, and a member of the famed and revered Tuskegee airman — also known as the Red Tail Squadron. Efforts to share their history are based with the Minnesota-based Commerative Air Force Red Tail Squadron, a non-profit educational outreach group.
“I’m impressed. Very quaint. What a place to live,” the chemist-turn-pilot-turned teacher said during a live Twitter interview, adding, “Somebody professonal put together these booklets and invitations. It’s great.”
During World War II, Jefferson flew 19 missions in Europe, until he was shot down over southern France on Aug 12, 1944. During his time as a prisoner of the Nazis, he was treated that same as white U.S. airmen, but on his release and return to the U.S., he was greeted with a racial slur. He went on to be an educator, and wrote “Red Tail Captured, Red Tail Free: The Memoirs of a Tuskegee Airman and POW“. He is also the subject of the award-winning 2016 documentary, “The Luft Gangster: Memoirs of A Second Class Hero.”
Jefferson said he hopes to visit Holland again, soon. His wish may be granted this year. The short video of his live interview with WHTC caught the attention of retired history teacher Thom Parker, who responded, in part, by tweeting, “It would be nice to interview him on Talk of the Town sometime for more of his story or with some students involved. The speaker for the Veterans Day assembly at Holland High?”
What followed: Holland High teachers Daniel Telgenhof (social studies), James Woods (English), and Andrea Mehall (director of early college high-school program and high school AP classes) were tagged in subsequent posts, with Telgenhof, tweeting “That would be amazing.”
WHTC will keep listeners and readers posted about what happens next.
