Elwood T. Driver

Elwood "Woody" T. Driver (August 20, 1921 – March 26, 1992) was an American aviator who served as a Tuskegee Airman during World War II. He flew 123 missions and he is given credit for one confirmed kill. In 1978 President Jimmy Carter nominated Driver to be a member of the National Transportation Safety Board.

Major

Elwood T. Driver
Elwood T. Driver
Birth nameElwood T. Driver
Nickname(s)Woody
Born(1921-08-20)August 20, 1921
Trenton, New Jersey U.S.
DiedMarch 26, 1992(1992-03-26) (aged 70)
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branch
Years of service1942-1962
RankFlight Commander
UnitTuskegee Army Air Field
Awards
Alma mater
Spouse(s)Shirley née Martin
RelationsSon: Timothy

Early life

Driver was born in Trenton, New Jersey, and had three other siblings. While attending Trenton State College, he earned his pilot's license.[1] He graduated from college in 1942.[2] Later he attended New York University and earned an MS in safety engineering.[3]

He married Shirley Martin in 1960 and he had one son named Timothy from a previous marriage.[2]

Career
P-51 aircraft with red markings.[N 1]
Class 42-I Left to right: Nathaniel M. Hill, Marshall S. Cabiness, Herman A. Lawson, William T. Mattison, John A. Gibson, Elwood T Driver, Price D. Rice, Andrew D. Turner

He signed up for the Army Air Corps in 1942. He became a Tuskegee Airman and was sent to the European Theatre of WWII where he recorded an aerial combat kill overAnzio, Italy. He retired from the Air force as a Major in 1962.[2]

In 1978 he was nominated to be a member of the National Transportation Safety Board from 1978-1980.[5] He had worked for the Safety Board beginning in 1967.[2]

Driver held a board of director position, at Howard University.[3]

Awards and honors

Death

On May 26, 1992 passed away at his home in Reston, Virginia from liver cancer.[2]

See also

References
  1. "Maj. Elwood "Woody" T. Driver, USAF". Air and Space. Smithsonian Institute Air and Space Museum. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  2. Lambert, Bruce (April 4, 1992). "Elwood Driver, 70, Wartime Pilot and Transportation Safety Expert". New York Times. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  3. "Elwood Driver, Safety Official, Tuskegee Airman, Dies at 70". The Washington Post. 1992. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
  4. Rice, Markus. "The Men and Their Airplanes: The Fighters." Tuskegee Airmen, 1 March 2000.
  5. "National Transportation Safety Board Nomination of Elwood T. Driver To Be a Member". Presidency UCSB. The American Presidency Project. Retrieved November 14, 2021.
  6. Kruzel, John J. "President, Congress Honor Tuskegee Airmen". Army. U.S. Army. Retrieved July 25, 2019.

Notes
  1. The Tuskegee Airmen became known for flying the P-51 aircraft with red markings that distinguished the Tuskegee Airmen included red bands on the noses of P-51s as well as a red rudder; their P-51B and D Mustangs flew with similar color schemes, with red propeller spinners, yellow wing bands and all-red tail surfaces.[4]
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