This is a place you can check out to see what Col. Ernest Craigwell Jr (retired) is up to these days. As you'll see from exploring this blog, he's a highly decorated retired fighter pilot who served in three wars--WWII, Korea, and Vietnam, and he's developing a reputation as an effective motivational speaker. His experience and perspective as a leader at work, home, church, and in his community--particularly as one of the Tuskegee Airmen--infuse his beliefs about the role of preparation and responsibility in finding ways to serve others. His extensive knowledge of military history provides important context to his remarks.
Col. Craigwell also knows how to have fun. Among many hobbies and interest, his current and enduring loves include fishing and recumbant cycling. Going on 82, he rides between 10-15 miles a day several days a week. An avid reader, he's made it a point to live life to its fullest, physically, as well, with scuba diving, surfing, and swimming.
You can contact Col. Craigwell through Tuskegee in Alabama.
About Me
- Col. Ernest Craigwell Jr.
- Retired career Air Force fighter pilot and Tuskegee Airman with over 400 combat missions. Now he stays busy with public speaking, recumbent cycling and fishing.
8 comments:
singelloCol Craigwell, my name is Jay Moseley. I met you at Roland Johnson's house last year. I'm his next door neighbor. I really enjoyed talking with you that night. I'd sure like to have you come out to my F-16 unit some time so I could show you around and let you meet some of the folks out there that really look up to you. Right now, I am doing an article about Celebrating Black History Month. I appreciate you helping to pave the way for others. You are a true american hero. Thanks,
Jay Moseley (Roland's neighbor)
Is this the Ernie Craigwell that was at SCAFB in the early 60's?
Bob Zimmerman
Hughes Aircraft Co
rzimmerm2@aol.com
I had the privilrge to serve in the same squadron with the then Capt Craigwell. The 97th FIS New Castle DE. I was a Crew Chief on one of the T-33's 51-9176. I remember Capt.Craigwell flying out to California to appear on the TV show. "This is your life". That's another story.
Ernie: Are you the Ernie Craigwell that knows Charley Jehle? If so, Frances, his wife would like to be in touch but has lost your contact information. This is written from Linda, his daughter. My email is ljehle@juno.com.
Hi Ernie: I am Donald Gittens. We were classmates at East New York H.S. in good ole Brooklyn,NY. I was stationed aat Tuskegee AFB in 1946, I was a Link Trainer Operator/Instructor. You elected to remain in the Air Force but I elected to accept my discharge. We ran into each other again at the B'klyn Army terminal when you returned from overseas.
With very heavy hearts we regret to tell you Col. Craigwell passed away this past Saturday after a relatively short struggle with cancer. He maintained his dignity, thoughtfulness, and great sense of humor to the end. To those of you who knew him, our family extends our heartfelt condolences to you as you mourn your loss while we come to terms with our own. If you knew him or heard him speak, you also know that he would expect each of us to pivot quickly and look forward to celebrating his courage, and honoring his legacy by extending a supportive hand to someone who could benefit from it. He was a brave trailblazer full of integrity, and we know you join in saluting this wonderful man who served his country so well.
I had the pleasure to sit next to Bro. Craigwell a few years ago at the Paul Lawrence Dunbar High School Reunion luncheon in Wash., DC. He was quite a personable gentleman. We talked about bicycling, which he did everyday and his Prius automobile among other things. Being a history buff, I was amazed that I was actually sitting next to a Tuskegee Airman. As a human being, I was delighted to share the company of an elder who was so vibrant. I offer my condolences to Bro. Craigwell's family.
In April 1967 I signed into the 476th Tactical Fighter Squadron as an Airman Third Class, 462X0 Weapons Mechanic, fresh out of Technical School. Lt. Col. Craigwell was my first Squadron Commander. I remember the day his First Sergeant ushered me into his office for his Commander's interview with new arrivals. He asked the usual questions, where was I from, what did I do, etc. and then asked; "Can you qualify with the M-16?" I responded, “Yes Sir!” His reply was, "good, because if we have to deploy and everything goes wrong you become a soldier. If you can't qualify on the M-16 I can't use you.”
The 476th was a brand new squadron that had to be built from the ground up. The Weapons Loading Section was in an old one story barracks building that had been the base nursery at one time. The toilets in the latrine were about a foot from the floor and it was about 4 blocks from the flight line. Since we had no truck, we had to drag our load boxes through the sand to get to the flight line. When we moved to hangar 756 later that year most of the shops had no furniture. However, "Weapons Pukes" can be pretty creative. We showed up for the Friday night Mid-Shift--the only ones on the flight line. We took two "bread" trucks and cruised the other squadron facilities (no one locked their shops) and "borrowed" some furniture, rearranging what was left so it didn't look like anything was missing. Using this "share-the-wealth" program we furnished our shop quite well and apparently no one noticed.
What I remember about Lt. Col. Craigwell was his interaction with maintenance people. Some pilots would land, finish the forms and head for debrief. He took the time to walk the flight line and talk to the Airmen working on aircraft. He also regularly visited the maintenance shops.
I remember his visit to the 476th Load Section. Some of us were playing Dominoes and he caught us off guard. We all came to attention when he came through the door and expected to get our butts chewed for playing dominoes. He said, "You guys playing “Bones?” Deal me in!" He has always been what I thought should be the role model for any Commander to emulate. It was a sad day when he left.
During my 30 years of active duty I used Colonel Craigwell’s leadership example as the standard to follow. I know it left an indelible imprint on me. My regret is that until last fall I had no idea what had happened to Colonel Craigwell. I happened to come across his photo in the Air Force Museum Foundation “Friends” magazine where I learned that I had the distinct honor to serve under one of the Tuskegee Airmen. With all my trips to Montgomery, AL, over the years had I know he lived that close I would have told him what an honor it was in person.
Curt Shannon, CMSgt (Ret)
Post a Comment