IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1018 

Recognizing the remarkable achievements and patriotic service of late Michigan native Captain Claude A. Rowe, Jr., the only known member of 

the famed Tuskegee Airmen authorized to fly for two Allied countries 

during World War II. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

FEBRUARY 15, 2024 

Mr. THANEDAR submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on Armed Services 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the remarkable achievements and patriotic service of late Michigan native Captain Claude A. Rowe, 

Jr., the only known member of the famed Tuskegee 

Airmen authorized to fly for two Allied countries during 

World War II. 

Whereas Captain Claude Alexander Rowe, Jr., a United 

States Air Force veteran, Tuskegee Airman, and noble 

patriot whose character and deeds in life merit gratitude 

and respectful acknowledgment from his beloved country; 

Whereas, born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, to Jamaican 

immigrants, Louise Giscombe Rowe and Claude A. Rowe, 

Sr., Captain Rowe attended Cass Technical High School, 

where he excelled in his studies and ran track; 


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Whereas at Cass Technical High School, he also participated 

in the school’s Army Junior Reserve Officers Training 

Corps program, earning distinction as a top sharpshooter 

in sporting competitions; 

Whereas Claude’s curiosity about flying and love of mathematics led him to study aeronautical engineering at the 

Lawrence Institute of Technology (today called Lawrence 

Technological University); 

Whereas after the outbreak of World War II, he recognized 

the opportunity to become a pilot to protect the country 

he dearly loved by answering the call of duty and he left 

school to join the fight for freedom; 

Whereas Claude was discouraged from joining the Army Air 

Corps and told he would be allowed to enlist only as a 

kitchen worker or serve an officer as their personal aide 

as there were institutional roadblocks for Claude and all 

people of color pursuing their dreams in the United 

States military; 

Whereas Claude was not easily discouraged and decided to 

join the Royal Canadian Air Force, where they would 

allow him to earn his pilot wings, which he achieved as 

Sergeant pilot late in 1944; 

Whereas Claude returned to the United States to join the 

Army Air Corps Tuskegee Airmen Program in 1945, 

earning his pilot wings and the rank of Second Lieutenant in June of 1946; 

Whereas advancing through the ranks, Claude distinguished 

himself for his capacity and skill while flying the WB– 

50 and B–29 Superfortress heavy bombers and he fulfilled assignments to post-war Germany and Japan, 

Korea (present-day South Korea), England, and the 


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United States, including classified assignments during 

the cold war; 

Whereas Claude continued his professional growth by attaining expertise as one of the first African Americans to 

graduate from the highly competitive and rigorous 

Weather Officer school; 

Whereas Claude enjoyed a 21-year career with the United 

States Air Force before retiring in 1966 with the rank 

of Captain; 

Whereas bringing great distinction to himself as the only 

known Tuskegee Airman to have finished two demanding 

government pilot training programs and earning the right 

to wear pilot wings from both Canada and the United 

States, Claude was further honored by his country in 

2007, when he and his fellow Tuskegee Airmen were recognized for their service and awarded the Congressional 

Gold Medal; 

Whereas beyond his military service, Claude continued serving his community during his successful career in the 

banking industry as a bank manager and vice president; 

and 

Whereas Claude loved traveling with Winifride, his wife of 67 

years, spending quality time with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and Claude also inspired two of his daughters and one of his grandchildren 

to serve in the United States military: Now, therefore, be 

it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) memorializes Captain Claude A. Rowe, Jr., 

3 for his illustrious record of personal and professional 


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1 achievements, devotion to his family and friends, and 

2 unwavering loyalty to and love for his country; 

3 (2) remembers Captain Rowe as a transcendent 

4 hero who fought for democracy, a trailblazer of the 

5 skies, and a sentinel of the rights and liberties of all; 

6 and 

7 (3) this resolution shall be referred to as the 

8 ‘‘Honorable Captain Claude A. Rowe, Jr. Resolu9 tion’’. 

Æ 


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