Photo by Bennett Raglin/WireImage
Our nation has lost a great American hero. Floyd Carter Sr., one of the original Tuskegee Airmen and a NYPD veteran died last Thursday according to WPIX. He was 95 years old.
Carter dedicated his life serving the nation, and served New York City as a detective for 26 years. NYPD’s 47th Precinct expressed their condolences saying, “our community & nation has lost a giant.”
The Tuskegee Airmen have been acknowledged for their significant role in breaking down racial barriers in the military and helping to win World War II. Their duty was to protect bombers as they attacked enemy troops. Their story was depicted in the 2012 movie Red Tails, directed by Anthony Hemingway, that featured Terrence Howard, Cuba Gooding Jr., Nate Parker, Elijah Kelly and many other notable actors.
Carter had many outstanding accomplishments in his life, including being awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor in 2007. Even after World War II, Carter continued to fly many transport missions in other war zones, including Vietnam. Additionally, New York Daily reports that as a NYPD detective, “he [Floyd Carter Sr.] earned a half-dozen citations for his outstanding police work, and survived a number of shootouts with armed bandits.”
Carter truly lived an honorable life that will never be forgotten. The war-veteran is survived by Artherine Carter, his wife of more than 70 years, along with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.
TELL US: How have Floyd Carter Sr. and the Tuskegee Airmen’s accomplishments influenced your life?
Like TV One on Facebook and be sure to follow us on Instagram and Twitter.
