Gen. Matthew B. Ridgway PA737
U.S. Army officer; he rose to the rank of general, 1951. In World War II, commanded 82nd Airborne Division (famed for its invasion of Sicily), 1942-44; and 18th Airborne Corps, 1944-45. Supreme commander, United Nations forces in Korea, 1951-52, and Allied Powers in Europe, 1952-53. Chief of Staff, U.S. Army, 1953-55; opposed massive retaliation. Chairman, Mellon Institute, 1955-60. In 1989, Ridgeway International Peace Shrine was dedicated here.

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Alabama's Own AL12
The 4th Alabama Infantry trained here in 1916 at Vandiver Park, later named Camp Sheridan, for Mexican Border service. Designated the 167th Infantry Regiment in 1917, it returned from the Border to train here, then fought in France during WWI with Douglas MacArthur's brigade in the 42nd "Rainbow" Division. The 167th was at the front longer than any other U.S. regiment. In 1923, assigned to the 31st Inf. "Dixie" Division. Activated November 1940, Pacific Theater of WWII. The Division was called up for the Korean War in January of 1951.

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Sherman W. White, Jr. (1919 - 1943) First Lieutenant, 99th Fighter Squadron - 570
Sherman, Sr. and Nettie White lived at this address on W. Jeff Davis Ave. Both teachers, they taught their children Sherman Jr., Willa, James, and Samson to love their country and value education. Willa, James, and Samson would graduate from college. Sherman, Jr. left school at the U. of Chicago to enlist as an Army Air Forces aviation cadet at Tuskegee, Alabama. At Tuskegee were trained the first African-American military aviators in the history of the U.S. Armed Forces. In the third class at Tuskegee, White graduated in May 1942 as a 2d. lieutenant, allowing him to make the payments on his parents’ house. (side 2) White joined the 99th Fighter Squadron at Tuskegee, the U.S. Armed Forces’ first all-black tactical air unit. Willa (WAC) and James White (QM Corps) served in the Army in WW II. Samson later was in the Army in the Korean War. Lt. Sherman White and the 99th moved to North Africa for combat. On July 2, 1943, escorting bombers over the Mediterranean, 99th P-40 fighters intercepted attacking German fighters. While protecting the bombers, the 99th had two of its P-40s shot down into the sea. White was one of the U.S. Armed Forces’ first two black aviators killed in action. Location: Montgomery County

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Cairo Skywatch Tower IN133

U.S. Air Force commissioned observation tower August 16,1952 for Operation Skywatch, part of Civilian Ground Observation Corps during Korean War. Constructed by community volunteers. Approximately ninety people alternated shifts to maintain twenty-four-hour watch for enemy planes because there was no national radar system.

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The Colonel George S. Spanky Roberts, USAF Memorial Bridge WV761
Named in honor of local American hero, "Spanky" Roberts (1914-84), grad. of Dunbar H.S. & WV State College. 1st African-Am. aviation cadet, Tuskegee, 1941. Comm. 2nd Lt. & pilot in 1942; flew over 100 missions in Africa, Europe & Mid-East, commanded 99th Fighter Sq., and 332nd Fighter Group in WWII. Decorated for meritorious service in WWII, Korea, & 25 year career.

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The Colonel George S. Spanky Roberts, USAF Memorial Bridge WV762
Named in honor of local American hero, "Spanky" Roberts (1914-84), grad. of Dunbar H.S. & WV State College. 1st African-Am. aviation cadet, Tuskegee, 1941. Comm. 2nd Lt. & pilot in 1942; flew over 100 missions in Africa, Europe & Mid-East, commanded 99th Fighter Sq., and 332nd Fighter Group in WWII. Decorated for meritorious service in WWII, Korea, & 25 year career.

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