“font-family: Verdana”>One of Indiana’s last living members of a
famed World War II group of black fighter pilots known as the
Tuskegee Airmen has died.
“font-family: Verdana”>Walter Palmer died at his Indianapolis home
Saturday of stomach cancer, according to his daughter, Janice
Carter. He was 87.
“font-family: Verdana”>Palmer flew on 158 missions over Italy and
Germany during the war. The all-black Tuskegee 99th Fighter Group
was formed in 1941 and trained in Tuskegee, Ala., but faced racism
in the segregated South. Palmer was 21 when he became an airman in
June 1943.
“font-family: Verdana”>An eye injury in an auto accident ended
Palmer’s military career. He and his wife Rosalind Palmer moved to
Indianapolis from his native New York in the early
1970s.
“font-family: Verdana”>Since then, the Tuskegee Airmen’s exploits
slowly gained recognition, and Palmer gave motivational talks to
schools and civic groups.
“font-family: Verdana”>”He would tell the young children not to let
anything get in their way,” Carter said.
“font-family: Verdana”>In 2007, Palmer was among about 300 Tuskegee
Airmen who received the Congressional Gold Medal from President
George W. Bush.
“font-family: Verdana”>At least six other surviving Tuskegee Airmen
are believed to be in Indiana.
“font-family: Verdana”>His funeral is scheduled for April 11 at
Lavenia Smith & Summers Home for Funerals in
Indianapolis.
“font-family: Verdana”>___
“font-family: Verdana”>Information from: The Indianapolis
Star,
“font-size: small”>
“font-family: Verdana”>http://www.indystar.com
