Former Master Sergeant recounts battle experience
FLY FOR THE SKY – Master Sergeant Buford A. Johnson recounts his positions during the war and the valuable principles that he has lived by.
February 27, 2014
In order to celebrate Black History month, Black Student Union invited former Tuskegee Airman Master Sergeant Buford A. Johnson to come to Diamond Bar High School. The former mechanic of the all-black air corps had served in Japan, Korea, Africa, France and Germany talked about his World War II experiences on Feb. 19.
After recounting some of his war experiences, Airman Johnson gave the students at DBHS several words of wisdom. He recommended students to serve in the military for four years before going to college, because it will open their understanding of the world. He also encouraged them to “believe in yourself,” one of the greatest morals he lives by.
Tuskegee Airmen were part of an Army Air Corps program that trained African Americans to fly and maintain combat aircrafts during the WWII. These African Americans also became crew chiefs, maintaining and supporting the personnel who flew the planes.
Although the Tuskegee airmen’s abilities equaled, if not surpassed, those of other Air Corps, they were discriminated against for the color of their skin.
The Tuskegee Corps were also particularly known for going into battle to protect U.S. bombers against German fighter planes in WWII. They flew around the bombers with red paint on their noses to help distinguish the ranks among scattered troops.
They received awards for their bravery and various accomplishment through the years protecting the bombers and shooting down many enemy planes.
On Nov. 6, 1988, President Bill Clinton approved Public Law 105–355, which established the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site in Tuskegee, Alabama. The Historic Site constructed a museum and programs honoring the Tuskegee Airmen’s service. Airman Johnson shared that he was quite proud when they were finally awarded for their hard efforts and their service for the country.
