Claude C. Davis, through the course of a long, eventful life, has worn many shoes. His scuffed brown high-tops waited beside his bed in a freezing cold house in Pennsylvania every morning before school. He put on football cleats to dazzle Oakmont High School as their star running back. He wore shiny dress shoes as the first man in his family to receive a BA. On the same day he graduated from Wilberforce University, Claude also received his ROTC commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the Infantry Reserves. It was during his time in the infantry that Claude first saw the notice asking men with college degrees to sign up for pilot training.

Of all the shoes that Claude has worn, it is his “wingtips” that he is most proud of. For that decision to sign up for pilot training enrolled Claude C. Davis in the ranks of the Tuskegee Airmen, a group of black pilots – the very first black military group in our nation’s history – that flew many successful missions during World War II. In addition to battling America’s enemies, each and every one of these brave men had to battle racism every day of their lives.
 

Claude has met adversity and grew to become a Tuskegee airman, and a recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal. He is an inspiration to every American, regardless of class or color. Those “wingtips” are mighty big shoes to fill!