Spann Watson Lt . Col Spann Watson ( August 14 , 1916 – April 15 , 2010 ) was a Tuskegee Airman serving in World War II . He flew over 30 missions for the famed squadron over North Africa , Italy and Southern Europe . On March 2007 , Watson attended a ceremony in the U . S . Capitol rotunda , where he and other surviving veterans of the Tuskegee Airmen ( and their widows ) were honored with the Congressional Gold Medal in recognition of their service . He died on April 15 , 2010 aged 93 . Spann Watson spent his early life on the family farm outside Johnston , South Carolina . In 1927 , the family moved north to Lodi , New Jersey , where he completed his primary and secondary education . In 1937 , he enrolled at Howard University as a Mechanical Engineering student and earned a private pilot ’ s license . He helped break the US Army Air Corps color barrier , enlisting as a Flying Cadet in November 1941 . Completing pilot training at a segregated Tuskegee Army Air Field , in Tuskegee , Alabama in 1942 , he became an original member of the 99th Fighter Squadron , the first group of Tuskegee Airmen to fight in World War II and the forerunner of the 332nd Fighter Group . In April 1943 , he was among the first 27 pilots ( classes 42C – 42H ) of the 99th Fighter Squadron commanded by then Lt Col Benjamin O . Davis , Jr . , deployed to Casablanca . On June 9 , 1943 , as a member of a flight of six P - 40s , led by 1st Lt Charles Dryden , he participated in World War II ’ s first aerial combat engagement between black Americans and the Luftwaffe . He flew combat missions with the 99th , flying P - 40 ’ s from North Africa , Sicily and the Italian mainland . Returning to the United States as an instructor pilot in the newly formed 332nd Fighter Group , he flew the P - 39 , P - 47 , P - 51 and B - 25 at Selfridge Field , Michigan , Walterboro AAF , South Carolina , Godman Field , Kentucky , Freeman Field , Indiana and Lockbourne AFB , Ohio . While at Freeman Field , he participated in the “ Freeman Field Mutiny ” against segregated base facilities . After the war , he served as the 99th ’ s Operations Officer until the 332nd was disbanded with the integration of the Air Force in 1949 . Later assignments included Manager , Air Traffic Control Facilities , Hawaii and Chief Controller for Air Defense Control Centers in Long Island , New York , Misawa , Japan and Taipei , Taiwan . In 1962 , he became Director , Air Defense Center , Stewart Air Force Base in Newburgh , New York , and in 1963 , Team Leader , Regional Air Inspector General ’ s Office , Northeast , also at Stewart . Spann ’ s Air Force career lasted over 23 years , during which he qualified as a Command Pilot and accumulated over 5000 flight hours . He retired from active duty as a Lieutenant Colonel on December 1 , 1964 . His decorations , awards and commendations include the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters , Air Defense Medal , Legion of Merit , Distinguished Service Medal , and the Army Commendation Medal . In 1965 , he began a 27 year civilian career with the Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) , initially serving as an Equal Opportunity Specialist and later as a Senior Air Traffic Specialist and Military Air Traffic Liaison . During his time at FAA , he mentored military and civilian aviation professionals and assisted more than 30 African - Americans who went on to attain appointments to Annapolis , West Point or the Air Force Academy . He retired from the FAA on August 3 , 1992 . He was a founding member and two - term president of the Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated , and a signatory of its Articles of Incorporation . He was a past president of the Air Force Association ( AFA ) and a member of the Thomas W . Anthony chapter , receiving the AFA ’ s Presidential Citation . In 1981 he received the National Coalition of Black Federal Aviation Employees ’ Chief Anderson Award . In 1990 he was the first black American named an Elder Statesman of Aviation by the National Aeronautics Association ( NAA ) and was later elected to several terms on the NAA Board of Directors . In 1991 , he received the Tuskegee Airmen ’ s highest honor , the Brigadier General Noel F . Parrish Award , and was honored by the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington , DC . Other awards and recognition include the NAA ’ s Henderson trophy for lasting contributions to the promotion and advancement of aviation and the Congressional Gold Medal for service as a Tuskegee Airman . He was awarded honorary Doctorates of Humanities from Rhode Island College ( 1994 ) , Tuskegee University ( 2006 ) and the State University of New York ( 2008 ) .