Wilkerson was a senior at Bloom High School in Chicago Heights when he registered for the Army Air Force. The number of surviving bomber pilots isn’t known, but it’s thought their ranks have similarly dwindled. Only three fighter pilots are still alive, according to Jerry Burton, national president of the nonprofit. "His departure is a great loss to us and the entire community, as he frequently made appearances at schools, churches, etc., talking to people, particularly young people, about the Tuskegee Airmen and his experience as a member of that elite group," said Ken Rapier, head of the Chicago chapter.įewer than 1,000 pilots served with the Tuskegee Airmen. Wilkerson’s death, there are no surviving original members of the Tuskegee Airmen left in the Chicago chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving the group’s history. In 2000, 55 Chicago-area Tuskegee Airmen - pilots, crew members and support staff like mechanics - attended an event honoring them.
Wilkerson, the last known surviving member of the Tuskegee Airmen in the Chicago area, died Feb. Wilkerson felt he was ‘riding their shoulders’ and that it was his duty to keep alive the legend they built, according to a story published by the U.S.
The war ended before bomber pilots were activated.ĭespite not taking part in the aerial combat that Tuskegee Airmen fighter pilots became known for, Mr. Only the groups’ fighter pilots - known as red tails because of the color of their plane’s tails - served in combat during World War II.
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