Robert W. Deiz | |
|---|---|
| Born | Robert William Deiz June 17, 1919 Portland, Oregon, US |
| Died | April 6, 1992(1992-04-06) (aged 70) Columbus, Ohio, US |
| Resting place | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Alma mater | University of Oregon |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1942–1961 |
Robert William Deiz (June 17, 1919 – April 6, 1992) was aU.S. Army Air Force/U.S. Air Force officer, prominent combat fighter pilot, and Flight A leader with the332nd Fighter Group's99th Fighter Squadron, a component of theTuskegee Airmen.[1][2] He was one of the 1,007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots.[3]
One of the most famous of theTuskegee Airmen, Deiz is best known as the face of the popular 1943 “Keep Us Flying”World War II War Bonds poster created byBetsy Graves Reyneau, a white artist known for her portraits of prominent African Americans that circulated as part of theHarmon Foundation's traveling exhibition in the 1940s.[4][5] Originally, Reyneau visitedTuskegee Institute inTuskegee, Alabama, to create a portrait of famed scientistGeorge Washington Carver.[6][7]
Deiz was born on June 17, 1919, inPortland, Oregon.[4][8] He was the son of William Carlos Deiz (10 Aug 1881 – 14 Feb 1950), a Jamaican immigrant, and Elnora Noni Deiz (3 Oct 1888 - 15 May 1975).[9] His younger brother, Carl Deiz, was a Lieutenant and a Documented Member of the Tuskegee Airmen who served inTuskegee, Alabama.[10][8]
In 1943 before his deployment with the99th Fighter Squadron, Deiz married Ruby Lee Butler Deiz (1920–2012). They had one son, Robert E. Deiz, and two grandsons.[8]
Deiz attendedPortland, Oregon's Franklin High School where he played horn and double bass at school and in thePortland Junior Symphony.[11] He was also atrack & field star, setting several records.[12] After graduating from Franklin in 1937, Deiz attended theUniversity of Oregon for two years.[13] At Oregon, Deiz became atrack & field star, setting records in the 100-yard dash, the 220-yard race and relay races.[12][14] He also continued to play horn and double bass as a member of theUniversity of Oregon Orchestra.[12]
Prior toWorld War II in the late 1930s, Diez enrolled in theCivilian Pilot Training Program at Swan Island inPortland, Oregon, receiving his pilot's license.[15][4][16]
After graduation from theUniversity of Oregon, Deiz joined theU.S. Army Air Corps.[12] On September 6, 1942, Deiz graduated from the Tuskegee Flight School's Single Engine Section Class SE-42-H, earning his wings and a commission as a2nd Lieutenant.[17] TheU.S. Army Air Corps assigned Deiz to the99th Fighter Squadron.[18]
DuringWorld War II, Deiz flew 93 missions.[19]
On January 27, 1944, Deiz shot down an enemy GermanFocke-Wulf Fw 190, earning his first kill as a combat fighter pilot.[20][21] The next day, Deiz earned his 2nd kill after shooting down another enemy GermanFocke-Wulf Fw 190.[22][23] After returning to the United States, Deiz became a B-25 aircraft instructor at Tuskegee.[15]
Deiz served as a model for the popular 1943 “Keep Us Flying”World War II War Bonds poster created byBetsy Graves Reyneau, a white artist known for her portraits of prominent African Americans that circulated as part of theHarmon Foundation's traveling exhibition in the 1940s.[24][25] Originally, Reyneau was in Tuskegee to create a portray of famed scientistGeorge Washington Carver.[26][27]
After the war, Deiz served as a test pilot, becoming one of the first pilots to fly a jet aircraft.[28] He also attended theArmy Command and General Staff School inFort Leavenworth,Kansas.[29] AcrossU.S. Air Force assignments, Deiz continued to perform as a member of various community orchestras.[30]
In 1959, Deiz graduated from the University of Omaha.[31]
In 1961, Deiz retired from theU.S. Air Force inColumbus, Ohio, with the rank ofMajor after 20 years in the military.[32]
After retiring from the military, Deiz worked in electronics atNorth American Aviation for three years. After working as a parole officer for three years, Deiz served as a parole supervisor for 17 years. He retired in the early 1980s.[33][34]
Diez lived inColumbus, Ohio, for 30 years until his death.[35]
On April 6, 1992, Deiz suffered a heart attack and died after attending an American Cancer Society meeting inColumbus, Ohio.[36]
In 2004, the Oregon Flying Hall of Fame posthumously inducted Diaz in a ceremony at the Evergreen Aviation Museum inMcMinnville, Oregon. Deiz's widow, Ruby, and son represented him.[37][38]
