Wiley, James T. (James Thomas), 1918-2000

James Wiley, a Tuskegee Airman, received a degree in physics from the University of Pittsburgh and wanted to be a scientist, but because of his race could only get a job as a chauffeur. He obtained his pilot's license and went to the Tuskegee Institute, a "paradise," as an instructor. After enlisting in 1942, he served in the famed 99th Pursuit Squadron of the Army Air Force, flew more than a hundred missions over southern Europe, and was awarded the Air Medal. In 1965, Colonel Wiley retired from "a wonderful military career" and then worked for fifteen years as a customer engineer with the Boeing Company. He and his wife, Ruby, raised three children.

<p>James Thomas Wiley (August 7, 1918 – May 3, 2000) was a U.S. Army Air Forces/U.S. Air Force officer and combat fighter pilot of the 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Pursuit Squadron, best known as the Tuskegee Airmen or "Red Tails".</p>

<p>One of the United States' military first African American combat fighter pilots, Wiley was the first African American military combat pilot ever to land on foreign soil during combat readiness in North Africa.</p>