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LtGen Frank Petersen, USMC:

✔ Marine (1950–1988), Aviation trailblazer

✔ First Black Marine General & Aviator

✔ 350+ combat missions in Korea & Vietnam

✔ Awarded Distinguished Flying Cross

✔ Paved the way for future Marines

#USMC #SemperFi @USMC

@TheSucklife via X

#black aviators #vietnam war aircraft #USMC aviation #fighter pilot #trail blazer #aircraft #aviation #fighter

📖Book Review

Friday, August 19th is #NationalAviationDay! Here's a middle-grade book about pioneering Black pilot David E. Harris.

Award-winning author and journalist, Michael H. Cottman, tells the fascinating story of America’s first African-American commercial airline pilot. Segregated Skies: David Harris’s Trailblazing Journey to Rise Above Racial Barriers begins when Harris first enters military flight school in 1958, and every chapter onward is a profound narrative of a man who not only made history but lived through many significant American and Black historical events—tragedies and triumphs. What may make this story even more gripping—to some—is the fact that “As a light-skinned, light-eyed Black man, David was told by many people he could have ‘passed’ for white.” Would that have made his life less troublesome, more peaceful, or prosperous? Who knows? What we do know, however, is this book, Segregated Skies, wouldn’t exist if he did. Not only was Harris proud of his heritage and being Black, but he also made it his mission to help other Black men and women entering the field of aviation. Cottman expertly provides the reader with a compelling and easy-to-read narrative. There are very few books about Black aviators, past or present, so this book should be in every school classroom, library, and home, especially for those students who love STEM stories.

David E. Harris is now 87 years old! This National Aviation Day, let’s celebrate his legacy of excellence, honor, and courage.

Segregated Skies: David Harris’s Trailblazing Journey to Rise Above Racial Barriers

Michael H. Cottman

National Geographic Kids

Middle-Grade

Ages: 9 and up

Pages: 128

#our stories matter #national aviation day #black aviators #black authors #black tumblr