‘Red Tail’ tells tales: American hero educates, inspires at celebration

Photo By Brian Melanephy | PORT HUENEME, Calif. – R.T. Lee, with his wife by his side, takes the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division workforce on a journey highlighting the struggles he faced as an African American and how education, determination and hard work led him to the Himalayas and beyond.  

PORT HUENEME, CA, UNITED STATES

02.23.2017

Story by Brian Melanephy 

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division

PORT HUENEME, Calif. -- A packed house waited patiently for an opportunity to spend an hour with a piece of living history in the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Port Hueneme Division (NSWC PHD) Audiovisual Center, Feb. 13.
Proudly sitting in a chair on stage with his wife next to him and in his Air Force blues, 91-year young Tuskegee Airman R.T. Lee shared his story of growing up during a time when simply being African American was a roadblock to success.
Lee, with notes in hand, struggled to get his words out but his message was not lost. It resounded like the engines of the plane he flew during WWII. Humility, happiness and humor sprinkled with seriousness dominated the story of his challenges early in life, his adventure getting into the Army Air Corps and being selected as a pilot and training at the Tuskegee Institute.
Lee graduated from high school in 1943 and enlisted in the Army. He had extremely high scores on his entry exams and this opened a window of opportunity very few young African Americans had.
“I graduated from high school at the height of World War II, at the time you enlisted in the Army or you became a “4F” not qualified for military service - and I didn’t want to be that,” Lee said.
When he first arrived at the Tuskegee Institute he initially trained to fly the P-51, but he couldn’t qualify with the plane.
He transitioned to multi-engine transports and ended up flying the C-146. The Tuskegee Airman, or red tail, was then stationed in India where he flew 28 missions across the Himalayas from what was then Burma to China. He transported troops and equipment.
He credited his success to his instructors at flight school.
“Our teachers at Tuskegee were tough, but they believed in us and we lived up to their expectations,” said Lee. “They taught us to aim high and never give up.”
Lee struggled to read his notes during the hour. However, with his wife of 58 years at his side he stayed on track – injecting humor at every opportunity. The audience bonded with him immediately and they were glued to his every word.
In his concluding remarks he brought the focus back to education.
“It is my hope that we work harder to have all students attend schools that have an abundance of resources,” Lee said.
After his final words the audience rose to its feet and gave him a passionate standing ovation. He was then thanked by NSWC PHD Commanding Officer Capt. Cord Luby and given a small token of appreciation – a framed photo.
He took time to answer questions from the audience including one of his four children, his son John. The younger Lee was prodding his dad to share a funny story.
“Dad, were you ever shot down?”
The answer: no.
“No crashes or anything like that?”
“I didn’t crash; I ran out of gas and needed something to eat, so I ate grass. I cooked it, but I ate grass. I can still taste it today,” said Lee. “That was good grass by the way!”
Instead of leaving after the celebration the workforce lined up and one-by-one shook Lee’s hand – thanking him for his service to the nation and his inspirational message.
Lee retired from the Air Force after 26 years of service in 1969. He then worked for the County of Ventura for 16 years. The Camarillo resident has not slowed down. He is actively involved in his church and several civic organizations.
NSWC PHD’s workforce is 7.75 percent African American. The division’s workforce strategy is focused on partnership, hiring and recruiting with black historical colleges and universities and professional societies including Morgan State, Prairie View A&M, North Carolina A&T, Tuskegee University and National Society of Black Engineers.
African American/Black History Month is celebrated each year in February. It is an annual opportunity to remember and recognize the achievements of African Americans and the central role they played and continue to play in our nation’s history.
This year’s theme was “success always leaves footprints.” Lee left footprints on this organization.

• Date Taken: 02.23.2017
• Date Posted: 02.23.2017 13:38
• Story ID: 224495
• Location: PORT HUENEME, CA, US