What:

On July 24, 2018, legislation introduced in the House of Representatives by Congressman Adriano Espaillat, of New York’s 13th District, was signed as Public Law No: 115-211 by President Donald J Trump, to designate the Colonial Park Post Office as the “Tuskegee Airmen Post Office Building.”

Who:

Tuskegee Airman Wilfred DeFour
Congressman Adriano Espaillat
The Honorable Charles Rangel
Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer
President Lisa Johnson Hodges, of the New York Tuskegee Alumni Association
Manhattan Postmaster Marcellina Del Pizzo
New York Postal Service District Manager Lorraine Castellano

When:

Monday, November 19, 2018, 11:00am – 12:00pm

Where:

Colonial Park Post Office
99 Macombs Place
New York, NY 10039

Background:   

On January 16, 1941, the War Department announced the creation of an all-black fighter squadron to train at an airfield in Tuskegee, Alabama. The base opened in July with 13 cadets in its first pilot training class. After graduation, these pilots—along with their support personnel and later Tuskegee classes—formed the nation’s first African American fighter unit: the 99th Pursuit Squadron. The 99th was followed by other fighter and bomber units, all known as "Tuskegee Airmen" (even if they trained elsewhere).

The Tuskegee Airmen fought for freedom on two fronts: against Nazism in Europe and against discrimination at home. In 2007, they received the Congressional Gold Medal.  “I am proud to honor the Tuskegee Airmen by renaming the U.S. post office located at 99 Macombs Place in their honor,” said Rep. Espaillat.