Capt. Dudley Stevenson, Ramitelli. Photo courtesy Craig Huntly
Col Dudley Wardell Stevenson
May 11, 1918 – October 5, 1982
99th Fighter Squadron communications officer
Dudley Stevenson was a pre-Pearl Harbor enlistee into the U. S. Army. He was one of six Aviation Cadets assigned to the 99th Pursuit Squadron at Chanute Field. In November 1941. When the 99th Pursuit Squadron was transferred from Chanute Field to Maxwell Field, Alabama he and three other Aviation Cadets remained at Chanute Field to complete their specialized technical school which in the case of Dudley Stevenson was Communication School. Upon completion of Communication School he was commissioned a 2nd Lt in the USAAC thus making him one of the first six negros commissioned into the USAAC. He rejoined the 99th Pursuit Squadron at Tuskegee Army Air Field and was assigned the duties of Communications Officer. In April 1943 he was shipped overseas with the 99th Fighter Squadron and he remained the Squadron Communications Officer until 8 July 1944 when he was transferred to Headquarters 332nd Fighter Group to become the Groups Communications Officer.
The “Big Four”. These guys considered themselves to be the best pilots in the 332nd Fighter Wing. Left to right, Captain William R. Thompson, Lieutenant James L. Johnson, Captain Dudley W. Stevenson and Lieutenant Spurgeon N. Ellington. Photo courtesy Craig Huntly.
Tech. Sgt. David W. Stevenson of the 201st RED HORSE Squadron, Det. 1, combat arms maintenance and training security forces, poses with a photo of his grandfather, an original Tuskegee Airman, Col. Dudley Wardell Stevenson, 99th Fighter Squadron communications officer on Dec. 6, 2020, Horsham, Pennsylvania. Col. Stevenson was one of the first five Tuskegee Airmen officers.
Sources:
Craig Huntly, Tuskegee Airmen Subject Matter Expert
111th Attack Wing
Findagrave.com
