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Unknown The Vacation Reading Club

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09587.001 Author/Creator: Unknown Place Written: Roanoke, Virginia Type: Printed document signed Date: 1923 Pagination: 1 p ; 15.9 x 20.2 cm. Order a Copy

A diploma issued to "Leroy" Williams for completing the Vacation Reading Course for the summer of 1923.

LeRoi S. Williams
LeRoi Shelton Williams (sometimes called "Leroy Williams" or "Leroi Williams") was born July 30, 1919 in Roanoke, Virginia, the fourth child of Cordelia Shelton Williams and Reverend James Thomas Williams Sr. He graduated from Lucy Addison High School in 1936 (GLC09587.003) and the flight training school at the Hampton Institute as a certified private pilot in 1940 (GLC09587.012). During the intervening years he worked as an electrician, as that was his job when he enlisted. At some point he worked for the Railroad Board (GLC09587.018). He attended the Tuskegee Army Air Force School at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, graduating in July 1943 (GLC09587.019). He served with the 332nd Fighter Group, also known as the Tuskegee Airmen, in the 100th Fighter Squadron. They began training at Selfridge Field, Michigan, and spent two weeks training at Oscada, Michigan (GLC09587.020). He was killed there in a mid-air collision with Lieutenant William Walker, October 14, 1943. He is buried at Williams Memorial Park in Roanoke, Virginia. In documents relating to his death, he is listed as a 2nd Lieutenant at the time of his death, but according to Find a Grave, he was a 1st Lieutenant at the time of his death.

Williams, LeRoi S. (1919-1943)

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