Edward Laird (1921 - 1944)

Born 19 Feb 1921 in Dolomite, Jefferson, Alabama, United States

Ancestors

Died 28 Jun 1944 at age 23 in Italy

Problems/Questions Profile manager: US Black Heritage Project WikiTree [send private message]

Edward Laird is a part of US Black history. Join: US Black Heritage Project Discuss: black_heritage

Biography

Edward Laird was Killed in Action during World War II.

Edward Laird is a Military Veteran.
Served in the United States Army Air Force 100th Fighter Squadron 1943-1944
Tuskegee Airman flying Ace

Edward Laird was awarded the Purple Heart.

Edward was born in 1921 to Dave Laird and Cora Thomas. He was the middle son of seven children born to this couple. Edward enrolled in the Tuskegee Air Institute in 1942 as part of the first cadet programs. While attending the institute, Edward was voted "most talented undergraduate on campus" and won an all-expense paid trip to New York City. His talent was listed as "expert with figures". ^[1]In addition, he was paid $200.00 to star on the Fred Allen Texaco Star Theatre which was aired on CBS on May 3, 1942. ^[2] At the time, he was a sophomore in the School of Agriculture where he was a member of the UMCA, the Agricultural Forum and the Tuskegee Institute ROTC program. He was enrolled in the Primary Course in Aviation. He married Annie Estelle Motley on Jun 29, 1943, in Tuskegee, Alabama.^[3]

In November of 1943, he had completed his training and graduated with the first group of airmen.^[4] He was assigned to the 100th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group. He was based out of Ramitelli, Italy.On June 28, 1944, he was preparing to participate in a strafing mission when his plane crashed on takeoff. Edward did not survive the crash. He was buried in a temporary cemetery in Italy until 1949, when his body was returned home for burial. On March 30, a funeral was held at the Tuskegee Institute Chapel for Edward..^[5]

He is buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Tuskegee Institute, Alabama.

Sources

1. ↑ The Pittsburgh Courier, 18 Apr 1942, pg. 20.
2. ↑ The Tuskegee News, 30 Apr 1942, pg. 14.
3. ↑ "Alabama County Marriages, 1809-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q21X-C6V9 : 19 February 2021), Edward Laird and Ann E Motley, 29 Jun 1943; citing Election Precinct 29 Alabama City, Etowah, Alabama, United States, County Probate Courts, Alabama; FHL microfilm 1,892,247.
4. ↑ The Pittsburgh Courier, 13 Nov 1943, pg 1.
5. ↑ The Tuskegee News, 7 Apr 1949, pg. 6

• "United States Census, 1930," database with images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:3NKN-VT2 : accessed 13 April 2021), Edward Laird, Election Precinct 28, Jefferson, Alabama, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 173, sheet , line , family , NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll ; FHL microfilm .