Wilmore B. Leonard | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Birth name | Wilmore B. Leonard |
| Born | 1916 or 1917 |
| Died | (aged 61) Washington, DC, US |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Branch | United States Army Air Force |
| Awards | Congressional Gold Medal awarded to the Tuskegee Airmen |
Wilmore B. Leonard (1916 or 1917 – April 2, 1978) was an American college professor,U.S. Army Air Corps/U.S. Air Force officer and combat fighter pilot with the332nd Fighter Group.[1] One of 1,007 documentedTuskegee Airmen Pilots, Leonard was a member of Tuskegee's sixth cadet graduating class and one of the first 50 African American combat fighter pilots.[2] He served duringWorld War II, retiring from the military in 1946. He subsequently attended theHoward University School of Dentistry, and became a dentistry professor, holding the position for 25 years.
Leonard was born inSalisbury, Maryland onMaryland'sEastern Shore. He had two siblings, Howard E. Leonard Jr. and Lillian Flamer. In 1939, he graduated from theHampton Institute. He taught at Accomac County High School inAccomac, Virginia onVirginia'sEastern Shore.[3]
Leonard was married to Elizabeth A. Leonard. They had one daughter, Charmaine L. Jackson, and one grandchild.[3]
On September 6, 1942, Leonard graduated from the Tuskegee Flight School's Single Engine Section Class SE-42-H, earning his wings and a commission as a2nd Lieutenant.[1] One of 1,007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots, Leonard was a member of Tuskegee's sixth cadet graduating class and one of the first 50 African American combat fighter pilots.[2] He served inWorld War II'sEuropean Theater. In 1946, Leonard left the military with the rank ofcaptain.[3]
Congressional Gold Medal Awarded to the Tuskegee Airmen in 2006.[4]
In 1947, Leonard applied and was provisionally admitted to theUniversity of Maryland's graduate school in the chemistry department. Maryland subsequently rescinded its admissions decision, officially citing dissatisfaction with Leonard's previous average grades, though probably as a result of Leonard's race.[5][6]
In 1948, Leonard attended theHoward University School of Dentistry, graduating in 1952.[3] He worked there as a professor for 25 years until his retirement in May 1976. He served as Howard's associate director of clinics, secretary to the faculty. He taught oral diagnosis, endodontics, oral therapeutics, pharmacology. Howard University School of Dentistry awarded him the Howard University College of Dentistry Alumni Award for outstanding contributions to dental education. Leonard was a member of the American Dental Association, the National Dental Association, the Robert T. Freeman Dental Society and the District of Columbia Dental Society. He also authored multiple journal articles on periodontology and endodontics.[3]
Leonard suffered from cancer and died on April 2, 1978, atHoward University Hospital inWashington, DC.[3]
