Eugene Calvin Cheatham Jr. | |
|---|---|
 Cheatham studying aerial photographs during the Korean War, 1951 | |
| Born | (1915-08-27)August 27, 1915 Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | May 10, 2005(2005-05-10) (aged 89) |
| Allegiance | Units |
| Branch | United States Army Air Corps United States Army Air Forces United States Air Force |
| Service years | 1941–1977 |
| Rank | Lieutenant colonel |
| Unit | 332nd Fighter Group 67th Tactical Reconnaissance Wing |
| Conflicts | World War II Korean War |
Eugene Calvin Cheatham Jr. (August 27, 1915 — May 10, 2005) was one of theTuskegee Airmen and a career officer in theUnited States Air Force.
Cheatham was born in Georgia, United States; his father was anEpiscopal missionary whose work took the family to Africa and Europe.[1] While living in New York City, he became aBoy Scout and by 1930 he had completed the requirements forEagle Scout. Unable to afford a full uniform, he never appeared before his board of review.
Cheatham was a fighter pilot with the332nd Fighter Group— better known as theTuskegee Airmen —duringWorld War II. He flew 150 missions during theKorean War. He achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel and retired in 1977. He then worked as a personnel and equal-opportunity officer for the Air Force, serving in Japan, Montana andSan Bernardino, California.[2]
In 2001, Cheatham attended aVeterans Day event where he expressed his regret at not earning Eagle Scout to one of the organizers who happened to be an Eagle Scout. Executives from International Profit Associates petitioned the National Council of the BSA to award Cheatham's Eagle Scout.[3] Unable to locate records, the Scouts tested Cheatham and performed an exhaustive board of review according to the requirements of 1930. On September 18, 2004, Cheatham was awarded his Eagle Scout in a ceremony at theSan Diego Air & Space Museum.[4][5]
Cheatham died on May 10, 2005, frompancreatic cancer and is buried atArlington National Cemetery.[6]
Media related toEugene Calvin Cheatham Jr. at Wikimedia Commons
