The MTA New York City Transit’s Veteran Employee Resource Group honored the Tuskegee Airmen with a tribute at the Tuskegee Airmen Bus Depot in Tuskegee Airmen Bus Depot in Harlem on Feb. 14, 2020.
The bus depot, originally the 100th Street Bus Depot, was renamed in 2012 to honor the 332nd Fighter Group, the African American pilots who served in World War II.
Twelve of the Tuskegee veterans settled in Harlem following the war, and worked within the NYC Transit system, then called the New York City Board of Transportation (NYCBOT). Their pictures proudly hang on the Wall of Fame in the depot’s lobby.
Reginald T. Brewster – Joined the NYCBOT as a clerk in 1948 while attending law school.
Victor A. Collymore – Worked for NYCBOT from 1947 to 1952.
Conrad A. DeSandies – Worked for NYC Transit in 1959 as a Maintainer’s Helper.
Harry R. Dickenson – Worked for NYC Transit from 1984 to 1989 as Deputy Chief Engineer.
John R. Freeman – Retired as a Manager, Operating Authority (OA) Surface.
Noel R. Harris – Began his career at NYCBOT in 1948 as an Auditor for the Staten Island Depot.
Oscar W. Hawkins – Joined NYCBOT in 1949, holding titles of Towerman, Train Dispatcher, Train Master, Superintendent of Operations and Transportation before moving to Labor Relations in 1971. He retired from NYC Transit in 1987.
Austin D. McKenzie – Retired as an Assistant Train Dispatcher in 1970.
Maury M. Reid, Jr. – Joined NYCBOT in 1948 as a Railroad Clerk. He transferred to Rapid Transit Operations and became the Director of the RTO Training School, retiring as an Assistant Director, Office of Labor Relations.
Percy E. Sutton – Worked for NYCBOT from 1948 to 1953 as a Subway Conductor, Token Clerk, and Waiter while attending law school.
Victor W. Terrelonge – Joined NYCBOT as a Trolley Motorman out of Coney Island. He advanced through the ranks of NYC Transit, retiring in 1984 as a Safety Coordinator. From 1984 to 2003 he served as a Safety Consultant to the Legal Department.
Fred O. Wilson – Joined NYCBOT in 1945 as a Street Car Operator and retired as a Bus Operator from the Jamaica Bus Depot in 1976.