Roberts, George S. (George Spencer), 1918-1984

George Spencer “Spanky” Roberts (September 24, 1918-March 8, 1984) was among the first African American Cadets to graduate from the Tuskegee Institute. After receiving his pilot’s license in the Civilian Pilot Training Program, Roberts entered aviation cadet training with the first class of Tuskegee Airmen in July 1941, the “washing out” rate was high, with only five of the 13 in George Roberts’ class graduating. Roberts completed the training and became the first African-American military pilot from West Virginia. He joined the 99th Pursuit Squadron (later known as the Fighter Squadron), and on June 1, 1942, he became the first African American commander of that squadron, serving in North Africa and Italy. Roberts eventually flew more than 100 missions against the enemy in Africa, Europe, and the Middle East.

After the integration of the armed forces in 1948, Roberts became the first African American officer to command a racially integrated unit at Langley Air Force Base in 1950. Following the war Roberts became the senior Air Corps ROTC instructor at Tuskegee Institute. He also served in Korea and Okinawa. In 1963, Roberts was assigned to Griffiss Air Force Base in New York where he was responsible for all ground radar in the Air Force. During the Vietnam War he served as deputy for logistics for fighters in Vietnam. Roberts retired with the rank of colonel at McClellan Air Force Base in 1968. His decorations included the Congressional Gold Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak clusters and two presidential citations.

After retirement in 1968, Roberts started working at Wells Fargo in Sacramento, California. He served as a credit officer, training officer, and personal banking officer before retiring in 1982. Roberts died in 1984 at the age of 65.