Milton Crenchaw
Encyclopedia
Milton Pitts Crenchaw is the father of black aviation in Arkansas
. He was the first Arkansan to be successfully trained by the federal government as a civilian licensed pilot. He overcame racism and bigotry to serve our country during World War II as a civilian flight Instructor, a time when Jim Crow Laws
were still in effect.
Crenchaw was born to Reverend Joseph C. Crenchaw and Ethel Pitts Crenchaw. His father was a local civil rights leader with the NAACP who was president of the Little Rock Chapter during the Little Rock Central High School Crisis, and a professional tailor. His mother was a beautician. Crenchaw had two siblings. He graduated from Dunbar High School (the local black high school) in 1936. After graduating he attended Dunbar Junior College where he received a teaching certificate in auto mechanics. After leaving Dunbar Junior College, Crenchaw pursued a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at the Tuskegee Institute in 1939. He did not receive a degree, however because he postponed his academics to pursue becoming a pilot. Crenchaw was the first Arkansan to arrive and to graduate from Moton Airbase in Tuskegee, Alabama
.
Crenchaw went from living the life of a college student to flying in the Civilian Pilot Training Program
(CPTP). The CPTP was sponsored by the Army Air Corps
. He was a flight instructor. After the start of World War II
, there was a shortage of pilots. To combat this problem, then President Franklin D. Roosevelt
, helped start a program to train more civilian pilots (thus increasing military preparedness). Crenchaw graduated in 1941 with his civilian pilot certificate from the Army Air Corps program sponsored by the Civil Aeronautics Administration
.
Crenshaw was named Primary Flight Instructor in 1942 at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Tuskegee, Alabama. He was one of the two original supervising squadron members under Chief Pilot Charles A. Anderson. Anderson was the first African-American man to have a private pilot license in 1929. Mr. Crenchaw taught many pilots and cadets known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Some of the notables were William T. Mattison, Charles Debow, Daniel “Chappie” James, Lieutenant Colonel Charles “Chuck” Dryden, and fellow Arkansan Woodrow Crockett. Not only did Crenchaw serve at Tuskegee but he also served at Fort Sill
in Oklahoma
from 1953 to 1954, Camp Rucker (now Fort Rucker
) in Alabama from 1954 to 1966, and Fort Stewart
in Georgia from 1966 until 1972. While at Camp Rucker, Crenchaw conquered another first. He became the first black flight instructor on these predominantly white airbases.
In 1947, Crenchaw returned to his hometown of Little Rock. He wanted to start aviation courses at Philander Smith College
. He shared the idea to then-president, Dr. M. L. Harris. Harris agreed, and Philander Smith held such classes at Little Rock’s Adams Field (now the Little Rock National Airport
) in the building of the Central Flying Service. Crenchaw taught aviation at Philander Smith from 1947 to 1953. From 1972 until 1983 Crenchaw worked as an equal employment opportunity officer with the Department of Defense
and as a race relations officer at Fort Stewart in Georgia.
Crenchaw has received numerous awards and certificates for his role as a Tuskegee Airmen
. Milton Crenchaw is a member of the Judge Robert Decatur Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc
. (TAI). He has received thanks from many including Congressman Vic Snyder
and President Bill Clinton
Crenchaw was inducted into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame in 1998. On March 27, 2007, he was honored by Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe for his historic efforts as a Tuskegee flight instructor and service to his country. Crenchaw was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on March 29, 2007 by President George W. Bush
in Washington, D.C. The Tuskegee Airmen are the largest group to ever receive this medal. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress. Crenchaw was inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame on October 27, 2007 behind the efforts of Edmond Davis; it is the topic of an upcoming book entitled, Airkansan: The Milton Crenchaw Story to be published in 2009.
Arkansas
Arkansas is a state located in the southern region of the United States. Its name is an Algonquian name of the Quapaw Indians. Arkansas shares borders with six states , and its eastern border is largely defined by the Mississippi River...
. He was the first Arkansan to be successfully trained by the federal government as a civilian licensed pilot. He overcame racism and bigotry to serve our country during World War II as a civilian flight Instructor, a time when Jim Crow Laws
Jim Crow laws
The Jim Crow laws were state and local laws in the United States enacted between 1876 and 1965. They mandated de jure racial segregation in all public facilities, with a supposedly "separate but equal" status for black Americans...
were still in effect.
Crenchaw was born to Reverend Joseph C. Crenchaw and Ethel Pitts Crenchaw. His father was a local civil rights leader with the NAACP who was president of the Little Rock Chapter during the Little Rock Central High School Crisis, and a professional tailor. His mother was a beautician. Crenchaw had two siblings. He graduated from Dunbar High School (the local black high school) in 1936. After graduating he attended Dunbar Junior College where he received a teaching certificate in auto mechanics. After leaving Dunbar Junior College, Crenchaw pursued a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering at the Tuskegee Institute in 1939. He did not receive a degree, however because he postponed his academics to pursue becoming a pilot. Crenchaw was the first Arkansan to arrive and to graduate from Moton Airbase in Tuskegee, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
.
Crenchaw went from living the life of a college student to flying in the Civilian Pilot Training Program
Civilian Pilot Training Program
The Civilian Pilot Training Program was a flight training program sponsored by the United States government with the stated purpose of increasing the number of civilian pilots, though having a clear impact on military preparedness....
(CPTP). The CPTP was sponsored by the Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
. He was a flight instructor. After the start of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, there was a shortage of pilots. To combat this problem, then President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt , also known by his initials, FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States and a central figure in world events during the mid-20th century, leading the United States during a time of worldwide economic crisis and world war...
, helped start a program to train more civilian pilots (thus increasing military preparedness). Crenchaw graduated in 1941 with his civilian pilot certificate from the Army Air Corps program sponsored by the Civil Aeronautics Administration
Civil Aeronautics Administration
Civil Aeronautics Administration may refer to:*Civil Aeronautics Administration - a division of Ministry of Transportation and Communication, Executive Yuan, Republic of China...
.
Crenshaw was named Primary Flight Instructor in 1942 at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Tuskegee, Alabama. He was one of the two original supervising squadron members under Chief Pilot Charles A. Anderson. Anderson was the first African-American man to have a private pilot license in 1929. Mr. Crenchaw taught many pilots and cadets known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Some of the notables were William T. Mattison, Charles Debow, Daniel “Chappie” James, Lieutenant Colonel Charles “Chuck” Dryden, and fellow Arkansan Woodrow Crockett. Not only did Crenchaw serve at Tuskegee but he also served at Fort Sill
Fort Sill
Fort Sill is a United States Army post near Lawton, Oklahoma, about 85 miles southwest of Oklahoma City.Today, Fort Sill remains the only active Army installation of all the forts on the South Plains built during the Indian Wars...
in Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
from 1953 to 1954, Camp Rucker (now Fort Rucker
Fort Rucker
Fort Rucker is a U.S. Army post located mostly in Dale County, Alabama, United States. It was named for a Civil War officer, Confederate General Edmund Rucker. The post is the primary flight training base for Army Aviation and is home to the United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence and...
) in Alabama from 1954 to 1966, and Fort Stewart
Fort Stewart
Fort Stewart is a census-designated place and U.S. Army post primarily in Liberty County and Bryan County, but also extending into smaller portions of Evans, Long, and Tattnall Counties in Georgia, USA. The population was 11,205 at the 2000 census...
in Georgia from 1966 until 1972. While at Camp Rucker, Crenchaw conquered another first. He became the first black flight instructor on these predominantly white airbases.
In 1947, Crenchaw returned to his hometown of Little Rock. He wanted to start aviation courses at Philander Smith College
Philander Smith College
Philander Smith College is a private, historically black college that is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. It is located in Little Rock, Arkansas. The student body averages around 850 attendees, with around 30% of that figure attending part time. Although known historically as a school...
. He shared the idea to then-president, Dr. M. L. Harris. Harris agreed, and Philander Smith held such classes at Little Rock’s Adams Field (now the Little Rock National Airport
Little Rock National Airport
Little Rock National Airport , officially Little Rock National Airport/Adams Field, is located 2 miles east of the central business district of Little Rock, a city in Pulaski County, Arkansas, United States. It is Arkansas' largest commercial service airport, serving more than 2.1 million...
) in the building of the Central Flying Service. Crenchaw taught aviation at Philander Smith from 1947 to 1953. From 1972 until 1983 Crenchaw worked as an equal employment opportunity officer with the Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
and as a race relations officer at Fort Stewart in Georgia.
Crenchaw has received numerous awards and certificates for his role as a Tuskegee Airmen
Tuskegee Airmen
The Tuskegee Airmen is the popular name of a group of African American pilots who fought in World War II. Formally, they were the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps....
. Milton Crenchaw is a member of the Judge Robert Decatur Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc
Tuskegee Airmen, Inc
Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. is a non-profit organization with 50 chapters nation-wide dedicated to:* Honoring the accomplishments and perpetuating the history of African-Americans who participated in air crew, ground crew and operations support training in the Army Air Corps during WWII.* Introducing...
. (TAI). He has received thanks from many including Congressman Vic Snyder
Vic Snyder
Victor F. "Vic" Snyder is a former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1997 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party.-Early life, education and career:...
and President Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
Crenchaw was inducted into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame in 1998. On March 27, 2007, he was honored by Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe for his historic efforts as a Tuskegee flight instructor and service to his country. Crenchaw was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal on March 29, 2007 by President George W. Bush
George W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
in Washington, D.C. The Tuskegee Airmen are the largest group to ever receive this medal. The Congressional Gold Medal is the highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress. Crenchaw was inducted into the Arkansas Black Hall of Fame on October 27, 2007 behind the efforts of Edmond Davis; it is the topic of an upcoming book entitled, Airkansan: The Milton Crenchaw Story to be published in 2009.