Alexander Jefferson, Lieutenant Colonel USAF Retired, was born in Detroit, Michigan, on November 15 1921.

Graduate; Chadsey High School Detroit: Bachelor of Science Degree, Clark College, Atlanta, Georgia: Graduate work in Chemistry, Howard University Washington DC: M.S. of Education; Wayne State University, Detroit.

Aviation and Military Service

In January 1944, I graduated from a Tuskegee Army Air Field pilot training course and three months of Combat Training at Selfridge Field, Michigan. He was a P-51 fighter pilot with the Red Tail, 332nd Fighter Group, 301st Fighter Squadron in Ramitelli, Italy. While protecting enemy aircraft, he flew 18 long-range escort missions for B-17 and B-24 bombers. On August 12, 1944, three days before the invasion of Southern France, he was shot down by ground fire while strafing radar stations on the coast. Captured by German troops and interned for nine months as a prisoner of war, he spent the first five months in Stalag Luft III, 80 miles east of Berlin on the Odor River.

Prisoner of War Experience

On January 29, 1945, when the Russians started their offensive, the prisoners, American, British and French, were transferred to Stalag VIIA, Mooseburg, approximately 20 miles north of Dachau. Liberated by American forces on April 29 1945, he visited Dachau to witness the results of the atrocities committed by the Nazis. He was discharged from active duty in 1947 and retired from the reserves in 1969 with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

A Dedicated Educator and Community Leader

Following the war, he became an elementary school science teacher in Detroit. He retired as an assistant principal in 1979. He is an active member of various church, educational, and alumni organizations. Alexander Jefferson is one of the founders of the Detroit Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen (the original chapter) and is a member of the Tuskegee Airmen Speaker Bureau.

Honours and Legacy

As a Life Member of the Silver Falcon Association, he served voluntarily as an Admissions Counselor for the United States Air Force Academy. He is a Life Member of the American Ex-Prisoner of War and is a Perpetual Member of the Military Order of the World Wars. On October 14, 1995, he was enshrined in the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame.

MILITARY AWARDS

He is receiving Military Awards as follows:

• Purple Heart Medal
• Air Medal Air Force Achievement Medal
• POW medal
• Air Force Presidential Unit Citation
• American Defense Service Medal
• American Campaign Medal
• European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
• World War II Victory Medal
• National Defense Reserve Medal
• Armed Forces Reserve Medal
• Air Force Longevity Service Award
• Bronze Star
• Congressional Gold Medal
• French Knight of the Legion of Honor Medal