Gill and Lew Bio

Gilbert A. Cargill was born on June 4, 1916 in Oberlin, Ohio.

Gil earned his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant and reported for duty at Maxwell Army Air Corps Base located in Montgomery, Alabama with orders in hand. They immediately reassigned him to Moton Field in Tuskegee. He became a primary flight instructor and had a special assignment instructing a squadron of pilots from Haiti since he spoke fluent French.

The requirements were so stringent that one of them didn’t make it. Gil knew that the standards would be higher for his pilots to pass the exams compared to other pilots because of the stigma that African American pilots were not fit to fly physically or psychologically according to a study published by the Army War College. Expectations were unsurmountable for the Tuskegee Airmen.

After his military service ended, Gil taught mathematics and physics at the high school level in Cleveland and then later in Detroit. Ironically, he taught at Davis Aerospace Technical High School in Detroit named after General Benjamin O. Davis, the commander of the Tuskegee Airmen during WWII where he was one of the top flight instructors.

He logged over 50,000 flight hours with not a single crash. He taught ground school for flight students on his own time for many years.

Gil was appointed by the FAA as the first black pilot examiner and safety counselor in the state of Michigan. The governor of Michigan appointed him as the Chairman of the Michigan Aeronautics Commission for two terms. He was inducted into the Smithsonian-affiliated aerospace and science museum, the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame.

Thank you, Gil Cargill for your contributions towards Black History and thank you Terri for this amazing story! Read more...

Lewis J. Lynch: A Legacy of Courage and Perseverance

Lewis J. Lynch, an original Tuskegee Airman and decorated World War II veteran, epitomized resilience and patriotism. Despite the systemic racism of his time, Lew completed rigorous flight training at Tuskegee, Alabama, and flew 42 combat missions, proving Black pilots could excel in aviation. His service challenged stereotypes, paving the way for integration in the U.S. military.

After his 20-year Air Force career, Lew became a passionate advocate for preserving the Tuskegee Airmen's legacy, inspiring generations through lectures and public appearances. Honored with the Congressional Gold Medal and immortalized in art and film, his dedication to equity and education leaves an enduring impact, ensuring future aviators and leaders continue his mission of breaking barriers.

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