Milton Crenchaw

Milton Crenchaw
Crenshaw in a WWII era photo
Birth nameMilton Pitts Crenchaw
Born(1919-01-13)January 13, 1919
Little Rock, Arkansas U.S.
DiedNovember 17, 2015(2015-11-17) (aged 96)
Atlanta, Georgia U.S.
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service / branchUnited States Army Air Force
Years of service1941-1972
UnitTuskegee Army Air Field
CommandsFlight instructor
Awards
Spouse(s)Ruby (née Hockenhull
RelationsChildren: Dolores, Countess and Milton

Milton Pitts Crenchaw (January 13, 1919 – November 17, 2015) was an American aviator who served with the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II and was the first Arkansan to be trained by the federal government as a civilian licensed pilot. He served during World War II as a civilian flight instructor. He was one of the two original supervising squadron members. In 1998 he was inducted into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame. The grandson of a slave, he was known as the "father of black aviation in Arkansas" who broke through color barriers in the military.