For Immediate Release

May 13, 2015

CONTACTS: Sue Walitsky/Marty Welch 202-224-4524

 

MEDIA ADVISORY

 

Cardin to Present Congressional Gold Medal to Former Tuskegee Airman William A. Colbert, Jr.

 

Friday, May 15 at 2:00 PM, U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) will present a Congressional Gold Medal to former Tuskegee Airman William A. Colbert, Jr., whose poor health had prevented his attendance at an awards ceremony in 2007 when the 300 other famed “Red Tails” were duly recognized for their service.

 

WHO:            U.S. Senator Ben Cardin

William A. Colbert, Jr., Former Tuskegee Airman

Veterans Service Organizations

                        NAACP Representatives

 

WHAT:          Congressional Gold Medal Presentation

 

WHEN:          Friday, May 15 @ 2:00 PM

 

WHERE:        730 Furnace St., Cumberland, MD

 

HOW:            MEDIA please RSVP to sue_walitsky@cardin.senate.gov

 

“William Colbert, a Maryland native, is receiving this rare distinction for serving his country in the first African-American combat unit of the Army Air Corps, breaking through barriers without any expectation of fame or fanfare. But his contributions to his beloved country and home state go far beyond that groundbreaking accomplishment during World War II,” said Senator Cardin. “Mister Colbert also served in the New Deal-era Civilian Conservation Corps, which left a lasting legacy of improvements of our country’s public lands. He is a widely admired family man who shared his heart, home and talents with a multitude of family and friends. William Colbert even has the additional distinction of being a great-great grandfather.”