Elwood T. Driver
Elwood T. Driver | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nickname(s) | Woody |
| Born | August 20, 1921 Trenton, New Jersey U.S. |
| Died | March 26, 1992 (aged 70) Reston, Virginia, USA |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service | |
| Years of service | 1942-1962 |
| Rank | Flight Commander |
| Unit | Tuskegee Army Air Field |
| Awards |
|
| Alma mater |
|
| Spouse(s) | Shirley Martin |
| Children | 1 |
Elwood "Woody" T. Driver (August 20, 1921 – March 26, 1992) was an American aviator who served as a Tuskegee Airman during World War II. He flew 123 missions and he is given credit for one confirmed kill. In 1978 President Jimmy Carter nominated Driver to be a member of the National Transportation Safety Board.
Early life
[edit]Elwood Driver was born in Trenton, New Jersey. He had three siblings. While attending Trenton State College, he earned his pilot's license.[1] He graduated from college in 1942.[2] Later he attended New York University and earned an MS in safety engineering.[3]
Driver married Shirley Martin in 1960. He had one son, Timothy, from a previous marriage.[2]
Career
[edit]
Driver signed up for the Army Air Corps in 1942. He became a Tuskegee Airman and was sent to the European Theatre where he recorded an aerial combat kill over Anzio, Italy. He retired from the Air force as a Major in 1962.[2]
Driver worked with the National Transportation Safety Board beginning in 1967.[2] In 1978, he was nominated to be a member of the Safety Board and served from 1978 to 1980.[5]
Driver held a board of director position at Howard University.[3]
Awards and honors
[edit]In 2006, a Congressional Gold Medal was awarded to Tuskegee Airmen, including Driver.[6]
Death
[edit]On May 26, 1992, Driver died at his home in Reston, Virginia from liver cancer.[2]
See also
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ "Maj. Elwood "Woody" T. Driver, USAF". Air and Space. Smithsonian Institution Air and Space Museum. Archived from the original on November 14, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
- ^ a b c d e Lambert, Bruce (April 4, 1992). "Elwood Driver, 70, Wartime Pilot and Transportation Safety Expert". New York Times. Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- ^ a b "Elwood Driver, Safety Official, Tuskegee Airman, Dies at 70". The Washington Post. 1992. Archived from the original on July 10, 2022. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
- ^ Rice, Markus. "The Men and Their Airplanes: The Fighters." Archived June 14, 2017, at the Wayback Machine Tuskegee Airmen, 1 March 2000.
- ^ "National Transportation Safety Board Nomination of Elwood T. Driver To Be a Member". Presidency UCSB. The American Presidency Project. Archived from the original on November 14, 2021. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
- ^ Kruzel, John J. (March 30, 2007). "President, Congress Honor Tuskegee Airmen". Army. U.S. Army. Archived from the original on November 11, 2021. Retrieved July 25, 2019.
Notes
[edit]- ^ The Tuskegee Airmen became known for flying the P-51 "Redtail" aircraft that sported distinctive red markings that included red bands on the noses of P-51s as well as a red rudder. Their P-51B and D Mustangs flew with similar color schemes, with red propeller spinners, yellow wing bands and all-red tail surfaces.[4]
External links
[edit]
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
