Colonel

Price D. Rice
Price D. Rice
Birth namePrice D. Rice
Born(1916-10-22)October 22, 1916
Shelby, North Carolina, U.S.
DiedFebruary 21, 1999(1999-02-21) (aged 82)
San Francisco, California, U.S.
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery Section 68, Grave 2255
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army Air Forces
Years of service1942-1965
RankColonel
Unit99th Pursuit Squadron, 332nd Division, Tuskegee Airmen
Battles/warsWorld War II
Awards

Price D. Rice (October 22, 1916 – February 21, 1999) was a U.S. Army Air Corps/U.S. Air Force officer and combat fighter pilot of the 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Fighter Squadron, best known as the Tuskegee Airmen.[1][2] He was one of 1,007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots.[3]

The Tuskegee Airmen's aircraft had distinctive markings that led to the name, "Red Tails."[N 1]

Early life

Born on October 22, 1916, in Shelby, North Carolina, Cleveland County, Rice was raised in Montclair, N.J.

Though there is little information on Price's first wife, Price had four daughters with her: Delabian, Diana, Daphne, and Debra.[5]

In 1962, Rice married Ohio State University alumnus and Howard University-trained physician Ellamae Simmons after meeting through a mutual friend.[5] In 1964, Price and Simmons relocated from Ohio to the San Francisco Bay Area in California. In 1967, the couple purchased a home in San Francisco's exclusive Presidio Heights, becoming the first African American family there. In 1977, Rice and Simmons divorced.[5]

Military career

Class 42-I Left to right: Nathaniel M. Hill, Marshall S. Cabiness, Herman A. Lawson, William T. Mattison, John A. Gibson, Elwood T. Driver, Price D. Rice, Andrew D. Turner

Early 1942, Rice volunteered for service in the U.S. Army Air Corps.[6] On October 9, 1942, Rice graduated from Tuskegee's cadet pilot training class 42-I-SE, receiving his wings and a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant.[3][7]

After graduation, the U.S. Army Air Corps assigned Rice to the Tuskegee Airmen-99th Fighter Squadron where he flew patrol, strafing and bomber escort missions in World War II's Mediterranean and European Theater. Rice also served during Korea War and Vietnam War, retiring as a Colonel in 1965 after 23 years of active duty military service. He resided in the San Francisco Bay area until his death in 1999.[6]

Awards

Death

Rice died on February 21, 1999, from complications from diabetes. He was 82.[6] He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 68, Grave 2255, in Arlington, Virginia.[9]

See also

References

  1. ↑ PUBLIC LAW 109–213—APR. 11, 2006 CONGRESSIONAL GOLD MEDAL TO THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN". https://www.congress.gov/109/plaws/publ213/PLAW-109publ213.pdf
  2. ↑ "Andrew D. Turner". CAF RISE ABOVE. 2019-10-29. Retrieved 2021-07-11.
  3. 1 2 "Tuskegee Airmen Pilot Roster". CAF Rise Above. Retrieved 11 August 2020.
  4. ↑ Rice, Markus. "The Men and Their Airplanes: The Fighters." Tuskegee Airmen, 1 March 2000.
  5. 1 2 3 "Dr. Ellamae Simmons". Geni. 26 March 1918. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  6. 1 2 3 Larry D. Hatfield (24 February 1999). "Col. Price Rice of the famed Tuskegee Airmen". San Francisco Examiner.
  7. ↑ Star Wars. "Tuskegee Airmen." https://www.starwars.com/news/tuskegee-airmen
  8. ↑ Rojas, Josh. "Tuskegee Airman George Hardy, 87, Broke Down Racial Barriers". postnewsgroup. Post News Group. Retrieved 25 July 2019.
  9. ↑ Arlington National Cemetery. "Tuskegee Airmen." https://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Notable-Graves/African-Americans/Tuskegee-Airmen

Notes

  1. ↑ The red markings that distinguished the Tuskegee Airmen included red bands on the noses of P-51s as well as a red rudder; their P-51B and D Mustangs flew with similar color schemes, with red propeller spinners, yellow wing bands and all-red tail surfaces.[4]
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