Title: Tuskegee Airman Cornelius Davis

Summary: Recognizing Tuskegee Airman Cornelius Davis, an American hero and a great Floridian, etc.

Full Text:
WHEREAS, Cornelius attended grade school and middle school in Blountstown and graduated from Booker T. Washington High School in Pensacola, and WHEREAS, in 1941, Cornelius moved to Detroit, Michigan, and shortly thereafter began working for Ford Motor Company, joining United Auto Workers Local 600, and WHEREAS, Cornelius received military leave from Ford Motor Company to join the Army Air Corps and, in October 1942, began basic training, first in Fort Custer, Michigan and, then, in Tuskegee, Alabama, followed by training as an airman at Buckley Field, Colorado, and WHEREAS, Cornelius earned his place as a proud member of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African-American military aviators in the United States Armed Forces, and WHEREAS, before the Tuskegee Airmen, no African American had become a United States military pilot, and WHEREAS, the Tuskegee Airmen were subject to racial discrimination, both within and outside the army, and WHEREAS, despite the discrimination and adversity they experienced, the Tuskegee Airmen trained and flew with great distinction on behalf of the United States, flying more than 15,000 combat sorties, destroying enemy aircraft, and receiving more than medals, and WHEREAS, Cornelius was stationed with the 301st Fighter squadron in the 332nd Expedition Operations group in Michigan, the 553rd fighter squadron in South Carolina, and the 99th Flying Training squadron in the 477th Fighter group, and WHEREAS, while on his way to participate in the invasion of Japan, Cornelius learned that World War II was finally over, and WHEREAS, Cornelius left the service from Madison Field, Ohio, and went on to live a full and honorable life, and WHEREAS, Cornelius Davis has earned his place as a part of Florida s and America s history, NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida: That we recognize one of Florida s great treasures, Cornelius Davis, and honor him for his service to our nation.