[DADoser]

Some added more detailed bio info - for those interested.....

An original Tuskegee Airman, Dr. Thurston Gaines is a legend in his own time. Gaines was drafted into the US Army Air Corps in April of 1943 where he was assigned to the all Negro Cadet Corps at Tuskegee Army Airfield, Alabama graduating as a Flight Officer. Gaines deployed to Europe in January of 1945 where he joined the 332nd Fighter Group and immediately began flying combat against the German Luftwaffe. In April of 1945, he was shot down on his 25th mission by anti-aircraft fire while staffing enemy targets. Dr. Gaines survived two German jails and a prison camp until the end of the war. He was repatriated in June of that year and returned to Tuskegee to become an instructor pilot for the B-25 Medium Bomber. His military decorations include the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters, a Purple Heart, the European-African-Middle East Campaign Medal, and the Presidential Unit Citation. After WW II, Dr. Gaines attended college and Medical school in New York and earned his M.D. Degree in 1953. 5 years later, he completed his residency in general surgery and continued practicing for 17 years. Dr. Gaines retired in 1988 after more than 45 years of honorable and dedicated service in the military and medical service to his country. Dr. Gaines and his wife reside in Litchfield Park, Arizona.


During his 22 years of military service, Tuskegee Airman, Lt. Col, Asa Herring, served in England, Korea, Germany and Viet Nam as well as many other temporary assignments world wide. Herring has flown and trained pilots of over 10 different types of aircraft, including the PT-17 and AT-6. During Viet Nam, Herring flew 350 combat missions and his decorations include Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star, and Air Medal with 13 oak leaf clusters. Herring was appointed the first Black Squadron Commander at Luke Air Force Base where he trained pilots in the F-104G advanced jet fighter gunnery program. Asa retired from the Air Force in 1970 and joined the Western Electric Company and served in several management positions. He retired from AT & T in 1989. Herring currently resides in Phoenix.