Black History

Robert McDaniel, last member of Tuskegee Airmen from Fort Worth, dies at 96

DALLAS POST TRIBUNE — Robert T. McDaniel, the last member of the all-black elite military crew from Fort Worth that fought during World War II, has died at the age of 96.

Published

5 years ago

April 8, 2019

Oakland Post

By Dallas Post Tribune

FORT WORTH, Texas – Robert T. McDaniel, the last member of the all-black elite military crew from Fort Worth that fought during World War II, has died at the age of 96.

Robert Tennerson McDaniel was born Feb. 28, 1923, in Mertens, Texas, to Alfred and Molly Valerie Queen Esther McDaniel. Robert was the only brother to Gladys and Carrie McDaniel. McDaniel was named after his fraternal grandfather, a pioneer Fort Worth physician.

Dr. McDaniel was a Christian, honored son, father, husband, gentleman, Tuskegee Airman, civil rights fighter, fraternity brother, and educator. He entered into eternal rest on March 19, 2019.

Dr. McDaniel graduated as valedictorian of his class at I.M. Terrell High School in 1940 and earned a scholarship to Prairie View College. Three years later, in September 1943 he was drafted into the army; he served in the Aviation Cadet Training Program. He served as an aviation cadet and U.S. Army Air Force flight officer. He was trained as a bombardier and as a pilot at Tuskegee Institute, Moton Field, and Tuskegee Army Air Field. Flight Officer McDaniel flew the TB-25J, serving as a flight officer with the 477th Bombardier Group.

He was one of the 101 officers of the 477th group involved in “The Freeman Field Officer Club Incident,” which led to the integration of all officers clubs and other military facilities previously off-limits to black officers. On July 26, 1948, President Harry S. Truman signed Executive Order 9981, which ended racial segregation in the U.S. armed forces, saying, “There shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons in the armed services without regard to race.”

After the war, McDaniel returned to Prairie View University and earned both a BS and an MS degree along with his counselor certification from the University of Colorado (Boulder). McDaniel taught mathematics in the Fort Worth ISD in 1949; served as a counselor at I.M. Terrell Junior-Senior High School; volunteer coach; vice principal at Dunbar Junior-Senior High School; and principal at James E. Guinn and Morningside Middle schools. On Feb. 23, 2006, McDaniel was awarded an honorary doctoral degree by Tuskegee University.

On March 29, 2007, President Bush awarded McDaniel and his comrades the Congressional Gold Medal of Freedom, which recognized their “unique military record that inspired revolutionary reform in the Armed Forces.”

In January 2009, McDaniel was invited by President Barack Obama to attend his inauguration. McDaniel accepted Christ at an early age. He and his wife joined the St. Peter Presbyterian Church. One of his last words stated that he had a blessed life.

McDaniel was preceded in death by his wife of 55 years, Hester Randle McDaniel.

This article originally appeared in the Dallas Post Tribune.

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Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 17 – 23, 2024

Published

6 days ago

April 19, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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Black History

Matthew Henson: Explorer Extraordinaire

Matthew Henson, a trailblazing explorer who overcame countless obstacles to leave an incredible mark on history. Born on August 8, 1866, in Charles County, Maryland, his journey is a testament to the power of determination and the spirit of adventure.

Published

1 week ago

April 17, 2024

Oakland Post

Matthew Henson (File Photo)

By Tamara Shiloh

Henson’s life began amidst the backdrop of post-Civil War America, where opportunities for African Americans were scarce. From a young age, he possessed an insatiable curiosity about the world beyond his small town. At the age of 12, he embarked on a journey that would change the course of his life forever when he joined a merchant ship as a cabin boy.

His most famous expedition was his journey to the Arctic with renowned explorer Robert E. Peary. In 1887, Henson joined Peary’s crew as a seaman and quickly proved himself to be invaluable with his skills as a navigator and craftsman. Over the course of several expeditions, Matthew endured extreme cold, treacherous terrain, and grueling conditions as he and Peary sought to reach the elusive North Pole.

In 1908–09, Peary set out on his eighth attempt to reach the North Pole. It was a big expedition, with Peary planning to leave supplies along the way. When he and Henson boarded their ship, the Roosevelt, leaving Greenland on August 18, 1909, they were joined by a large group. This included 22 Inuit men, 17 Inuit women, 10 children, 246 dogs, 70 tons of whale meat, blubber from 50 walruses, hunting gear, and tons of coal.

In February, Henson and Peary left their anchored ship at Ellesmere Island’s Cape Sheridan, along with the Inuit men and 130 dogs. They worked together to set up a trail and supplies along the way to the Pole.

Peary picked Henson and four Inuit people to join him in the final push to the Pole. However, before they reached their destination, Peary couldn’t walk anymore and had to ride in a dog sled. He sent Henson ahead to scout the way. In a later interview with a newspaper, Henson recalled being in the lead and realizing they had gone too far. The group turned back, and Henson noticed his footprints helped guide them to their destination. At that location, Henson planted the American flag.

Henson’s legacy extends far beyond his expeditions to the Arctic. He shattered racial barriers in the world of exploration and inspired countless individuals, regardless of race, to dream big and pursue their passions. In 1937, he was finally recognized for his achievements when he was inducted into The Explorers Club, an organization dedicated to promoting scientific exploration and field research.

Matthew Henson died in the Bronx, New York, on March 9, 1955, at the age of 88.

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Art

Marin County: A Snapshot of California’s Black History Is on Display

The Marin County Office of Education, located at 1111 Las Gallinas Ave in San Rafael, will host the extraordinary exhibit, “The Legacy of Marin City: A California Black History Story (1942-1960),” from Feb. 1 to May 31, 2024. The interactive, historical, and immersive exhibit featuring memorabilia from Black shipyard workers who migrated from the South to the West Coast to work at the Marinship shipyard will provide an enriching experience for students and school staff. Community organizations will also be invited to tour the exhibit.

Published

1 week ago

April 16, 2024

Oakland Post

Early photo of Marin City in the exhibit showing the first department store, barber shop, and liquor store. (Photo by Godfrey Lee)

By Post Staff

The interactive, historical, and immersive exhibit featuring memorabilia from Black shipyard workers who migrated from the South to the West Coast to work at the Marinship shipyard will provide an enriching experience for students and school staff. Community organizations will also be invited to tour the exhibit.

All will have the opportunity to visit and be guided by its curator Felecia Gaston.

The exhibit will include photographs, articles and artifacts about the Black experience in Marin City from 1942 to 1960 from the Felecia Gaston Collection, the Anne T. Kent California Room Collection, The Ruth Marion and Pirkle Jones Collection, The Bancroft Library, and the Daniel Ruark Collection.

It also features contemporary original artwork by Chuck D of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Public Enemy, clay sculptures by San Francisco-based artist Kaytea Petro, and art pieces made by Marin City youth in collaboration with Lynn Sondag, Associate Professor of Art at Dominican University of California.

The exhibit explores how Marin City residents endured housing inequities over the years and captures the history of plans to remove Black residents from the area after World War II. Throughout, it embodies the spirit of survival and endurance that emboldened the people who made Marin City home.

Felecia Gaston is the author of the commemorative book, ‘A Brand New Start…This is Home: The Story of World War II Marinship and the Legacy of Marin City.’ Thanks to the generous contribution of benefactors, a set of Felecia’s book will be placed in every public elementary, middle, and high school library in Marin.

In addition, educators and librarians at each school will have the opportunity to engage with Felecia in a review of best practices for utilizing the valuable primary sources within the book.

“Our goal is to provide students with the opportunity to learn from these significant and historical contributions to Marin County, California, and the United States,” said John Carroll, Marin County Superintendent of Schools.

“By engaging with Felecia’s book and then visiting the exhibit, students will be able to further connect their knowledge and gain a deeper understanding of this significant historical period,” Carroll continued.

Felecia Gaston adds, “The Marin County Office of Education’s decision to bring the Marin City Historical Traveling Exhibit and publication, ‘A Brand New Start…This is Home’ to young students is intentional and plays a substantial role in the educational world. It is imperative that our community knows the contributions of Marin City Black residents to Marin County. Our youth are best placed to lead this transformation.”

The Marin County Office of Education will host an Open House Reception of the exhibit’s debut on Feb. 1 from 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.. All school staff, educators, librarians, and community members are encouraged to attend to preview the exhibit and connect with Felecia Gaston. To contact Gaston, email MarinCityLegacy@marinschools.org