It is with deepest regrets that we have to inform you of the passing of DOTA Clarence Huntley of the Los Angeles TAI Chapter yesterday. He was a mechanic/ crew chief in the 100th FS, 332nd FG. He was the crew chief of Skippers Darlin’ III, Capt. Andrew “Jug” Turner’s P-51C Mustang.

In February 2010, CAF Red Tail Squadron Leader Brad Lang teamed up with Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Craig Huntly, the historian for the Los Angeles chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., to give a joint presentation at the museum featuring Craig’s uncle, Tuskegee Airman Clarence E. Huntley, Jr. (yes, their names are spelled differently!). When Clarence was just 19 years of age, he was crew chief for Skipper’s Darlin’ III, a P-51 Mustang flown by Airman Andrew “Jug” Turner during World War II.On April 7, 2011, Brad arranged an informal photo shoot of Clarence sitting in the cockpit of the Project’s Mustang Tuskegee Airmen. What made it special is that Clarence also had brought a picture of himself in 1945 as young soldier sitting in the cockpit of Turner’s Mustang, Skipper’s Darlin’ III. What made it extra special was that not only was Clarence sitting in the cockpit of a Mustang for the first time in decades, he was wearing the same jacket he wore in the picture taken during World War II when he was with the100th Fighter Squadron, part of the 332nd Fighter Group!

For more information about that visit please go to http://www.dailybreeze.com/news/ci_17914928

Sgt Clarence Huntly in the cockpit of a P-51 Craig Huntly holds a picture of his uncle, Clarence E. Huntley, Jr. showing him sitting in the cockpit of Skipper’s Darlin’ III as a 19-year-old crew chief. Clarence recreated that picture by sitting in the cockpit of the CAF Red Tail Project’s Mustang Tuskegee Airmen. Project Leader and Mustang pilot Brad Lang in on the right. (photo courtesy of Bruce Talamon)