The positive historical impact of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first black military aviators in the U.S. Army Air Corps, is well known. Their impressive World War II achievements earned them more than 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses and helped encourage the eventual integration of the U.S. Armed Forces. Early Club members who were among these brave volunteers were James A. Hurd, Hayden C. Johnson, Wilmore B. Leonard and John H. Williams. Today’s representative of this elite group is Brother Walter K. Robinson, Sr.
In 1941, while attending Howard University, Mr. Robinson volunteered for the Army Air Corps. He was accepted as a Tuskegee trainee and began classes in Pre-Flight, Primary, Basic, and Advanced Flight. Due to an accident during the Primary aspect, however, he was hospitalized for almost a year and endured six operations and extensive physical therapy. Mr. Robinson then continued his course of instruction; however, World War II ended before he could utilize his special training.
Brother Robinson became a member of the Bachelor-Benedict Club in 1976. He has served the Club in a variety of positions, such as: a member of the Personnel Committee in 1991 and from 1998-2001, Secretary from 1991-1998 and in 2002, Chairman of the Fall Dance in 2001, Chairman of the Nominating Committee 1990-2011, Club President 1998-2000, and was designated an Honorary Member in 2003.
On April 27, 2017 the Congressional Gold Medal Replicate was awarded to Walter K. Robinson, Sr., Tuskegee Airman. Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton made the presentation.