Leland Pennington

    Leland Hedges Pennington was born on April 7th, 1922, to Mack and Ailleen, in Rochester, New York, He grew up in the city on Alma Place, living with his Aunt Fanny and Uncle Solomon (who happened to be George Eastman's valet.) As a child. Leland was hit by a car while riding his bike. The accident did not seem to hinder his development, however, and he would go on to become a scholar athlete at Monroe High School. He played on the football, basketball, and track teams. Leland was also quite the musician, earning the nickname "Sticky" for his prowess on the drums.

    While attending Monroe, Leland was a member of the Aviation Club. These were common in high schools during the period, as the Civilian Pilot Training Program had been established to ready young aviators in the event of war. While in the program, Leland showed commendable flight skills, and also wrote a noteworthy poem, "God Is My Copilot."

    In 1942, Pennington graduated Monroe HS as an Aviation Cadet.  on 9/2/42, he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps, and began training as a pilot at Tuskegee Airfield, in Alabama. In 1944, he graduated USAAC Pilot training in Class 44-G-SE. Leland was now a member of the now-infamous Tuskegee Airmen, he was a "Red Tail." 

    Starting off as an experiment by the US Military to appease the NAACP, the Tuskegee Airmen were the 1st All-Black Pilot unit. They quickly gaine noteriety and praise for their superb combat flight skills. Bomber crews would even request the "Red Tails" (the color they elected to pain on the tails of their aircraft) becuase they would stick close to the bombers, and protect them. 

    The Tuskegee Airmen flew the legedary P-51 Mustang, while protecting the bombers. The P-51 was arguably one of the most superior fighters of WWII, having a perfect blend of speed, maneuverability, range, and firepower. When Leland was assigned to the 302nd Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group in January 1945, the Tuskegee Airmen, he received P-51B-10NA Serial #42-106603. He named his Mustang "Lucy Gal," after his wife back home who had had married shortly before heading off to war. Leland was based at Ramitelli Airfield, in Italy.

    On April 21st, 1945, Pennington's squadron was tasked with escorting B-24 Liberator bombers from the 49th Bomb Wing over the Attang-Pucheim Marshalling Yard. The mission was a success, the target was destroyed, limiting the 3rd Reich's ability to transport supplies via rail. However, en route back home, Flight Officer Pennington radioed to his wingman that he was "sack timing solo" (heading back to base), and did not require assistance. This occurred about 15 miles west of Zadar, Croatia. After this transmission, Leland Pennington was never seen or heard from again. My was declared Missing in Action, and remains that way today.

    Flight Officer Leland "Sticky" Pennington was awarded the Air Medal, Purple Heart, and Congressional Gold Medal for his sacrifices in serving for the greater good, in a military that originally did not want his, and Tuskegee Airmen's, help. Leland is a hero, and will be remembered as such for eternity.