[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 148 (Tuesday, October 22, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1536-E1537]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 HONORING WALTER CRENSHAW, JR., LONGEST LIVING MEMBER OF THE TUSKEGEE 
                                 AIRMEN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. HENRY A. WAXMAN

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 22, 2013

  Mr. WAXMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor a true American Hero.
   This weekend, Walter Crenshaw, Jr. will celebrate his 104th 
birthday. As the longest living member of the Tuskeegee Airmen, he has 
led a remarkable life.
   In October 1942, Walter Crenshaw was inducted into the United States 
Army Air Corps, ultimately attaining the rank of Sergeant. Sergeant 
Crenshaw was stationed at Tuskegee Army Air Field (TAAF) in Tuskegee, 
Alabama from 1942 through 1944. He served as the Administrative 
Assistant to the Provost Marshall during the initial training for the 
99th Pursuit Squadron's training period as well as the 332nd Fighter's 
Squadron. An additional 500 cadets would follow during his service. 
Sergeant Crenshaw was responsible for the induction and background work 
on each cadet. As a result, he came to know each man personally.
   The Tuskegee Airmen broke through racial, military and political 
barriers to become the first African American military aviators in the 
United States Armed Forces. Sergeant Crenshaw was among the men to 
successfully join this courageous group of men. He has been since 
honored for his service, receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor and 
the Harriet Tubman Living Legends Award, and his profile is a permanent 
part of the exhibit, ``Tuskegee Airmen, Men in Flight'' at the 
California African American Museum in Los Angeles.
   After leaving the service, he and his wife lived in Detroit while he 
served for 22 years as the Head of Shipping Clerk for Railway Express.
   They retired to Santa Monica in 1977, where Mr. Crenshaw kept active 
with photography and taking classes at Santa Monica College. At least 
four days a week, he would bike to the Santa Monica Pier to fish. Now, 
he currently resides in the Veterans Home of California in West Los 
Angeles on the VA Medical Center Campus. His many interests include

[[Page E1537]]

Jazz, particularly Duke Ellington, watching baseball games, and 
attending the First A.M.E. Church in Los Angeles. The Crenshaw family 
now spans four generations.
   I ask my colleagues to join me in recognizing Sergeant Crenshaw, an 
American treasure, and wishing him a healthy and joyous 104th birthday.

                          ____________________