Sunday, August 23, 2009

Tuskegee Airman's new gig


photos © Mark M. Hancock and The Dallas Morning News

Former Tuskegee Airman Calvin J. Spann, 84, displays his copy of the Congressional Gold Medal at Reel Thing Catfish Cafe in Allen on Thursday, July 16, 2009. Spann served with the 332nd Fighter Group from 1943 until 1946 and flew a P-51 Mustang fighter on bomber escort missions from Italy during World War II. The African-American unit received the Congressional Gold Medal in March 2007.


Former Tuskegee Airman Calvin J. Spann, 84, (left) talks with retired Senior Master Sgt. Jeff Willie of Allen (right) at Reel Thing Catfish Cafe in Allen.


Former Tuskegee Airman Calvin J. Spann, 84, (left) talks with retired Senior Master Sgt. Jeff Willie (right) at the Allen restaurant.


Former Tuskegee Airman Calvin J. Spann, 84, (left) shakes hands with Carl Isaacks of Allen (right) at Reel Thing Catfish Cafe.


Former Tuskegee Airman Calvin J. Spann, 84, (right) and Reel Thing Catfish Cafe owner Jim Brevard (left) talk about a special visitor celebrating his birthday at the restaurant in Allen.


Former Tuskegee Airman Calvin J. Spann, 84, (right) talks with patrons at the restaurant in Allen.


Former Tuskegee Airman Calvin J. Spann, 84, (center) talks with Purple Heart recipient Ray Cline, also 84, (right) and his daughter Lisa Ebanks (left), both from Garland, at Reel Thing Catfish Cafe in Allen. Cline's family brought him to the restaurant to celebrate his 84th birthday.



Please read, "Tuskegee Airman serves up war stories at Allen cafe" by Karen Robinson-Jacobs / The Dallas Morning News

Note: Although the story calls Spann an "ace," he said he didn't shoot down any planes. The military term "ace" applies to pilots that have downed five enemy aircraft.


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