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A-Train Memoirs of a Tuskegee Airman by Lieutenant Col Charles Dryden Soft Cover
A-Train Memoirs of a Tuskegee Airman by Lieutenant Colonel Charles W Dryden USAF (Retired)
Soft Cover
421 pages
Copyright 1997
CONTENTS
Forewordix
Prologuexi
Acknowledgmentsxv
Part I: Before Desegregation
1. Dismissed!3(July 1944)
2. Why?4(July 1944)
3. The Fledgling7(1920-1941)
4. Off to Tuskegee21(August 1941)
5. Aviation Cadets36(August 1941April 1942)
6. Nest of Black Eagles68(April 1942April 1943)
7. Fighting 99th: Over There!107(April 1943September 1943)
8. Arrivederci, Sicily!148(September 1943-1944)
9. "You're Not Ready!"167(1944July 1945)
10. Fighting 99th: Over Here!194(July 1945February 1946)
11. Camelot!205(February 1946June 1949)
Part II: After Desegregation
12. Lonely Eagles245(June 1949July 1950)
13. Over ThereAgain!260(July 1950February 1952)
14. Sayonara!297(February 1952September 1957)
15. Guten Tag, West Germany319(September 1957May 1959)
16. Auf Wiedersehen!348(May 1959January 1962)
17. Twilight of a Lonely Eagle375(January 1962August 1962)
18. Contrails 384(Timeless)
Epilogue391
Glossary395
Bibliography 409
Index411
FOREWORD
A-Train: Memoirs of a Tuskegee Airman by Charles W. Dryden, Sr., Lieutenant Colonel, USAF (Retired), is an autobiography of a prominent and very active member of the group of several hundred Black airmen who were trained to fly in the skies over Alabama in the early 194os, who fought the air war in Europe during World War II, and who simultaneously lived through the tempestuous life that the United States has imposed upon its Black citizens throughout all of our lives.
Dryden depended heavily upon frequent telephone conversations with some seventy of his wartime and postwar friends to check and cross-check most of the "recollections" he reports in his book. I can attest to this fact because I was an active participant in his process of discussion and verification of details of some of the historical material he presents. And, of course, as commanding officer of the 99th Fighter Squadron and, later, the 332nd Fighter and 477th Composite Groups, I shared many of the experiences he describes.
Chuck's book has two major logical divisions, the first prior to desegregation of the United States military, and the second after desegregation. It is an honest rendition of his life experience throughout the time period covered by his book. It could well have been titled: "The TRUTH as I Saw It." Chuck's book contains a wealth of interesting detail that should appeal to all Tuskegee Airmen. It would also be an educational read for anyone who is slightly acquainted with the existence of the Tuskegee Airmen but who does not fully understand the details of the World War II experience of Blacks overseas and desires to know more. This book consists of material that can provide the reader with the background for comprehension of the ongoing struggle with racism in the United States.
Chuck Dryden is a sincere, honest, friendly person who has fought the good fight throughout his long life and now, through the medium of his autobiography, desires to share its important details with all Americans but particularly with Americans of goodwill, who need all the information they can muster to arm them for the antiracism fight that will continue for the remainder of our lives and those of our descendants.
Benjamin 0. Davis, Jr. Lieutenant General United States Air Force (Retired)
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