PORT CLINTON, Ohio — On Saturday, a tribute was held to honor Harold Brown, a long time Port Clinton resident and one of the original Tuskegee Airmen during WWII. The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of African American military pilots who took to the skies to fight during the war.
Brown flew in 30 missions between 1944 and 1945 for the 332nd fighter group based in Italy.
"It's an amazing story, and we're here today to honor him, to honor his service as a member of the Tuskegee Airmen," said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur.
Nearly 80 years after the war, The Liberty Aviation Museum honored Brown and looked back on his legacy.
After 23 years of service, Brown retired in 1965 with the rank of lieutenant colonel, settling down in his home town with his wife, Dr. Marsha Bordner, who had been the president of Terra State Community College and co-author of a biography on her husband, Keep Your Air Speed Up.
She shares her thoughts on her late husband and what he meant to everyone who graced his presence.
"I think he and the other Tuskegee airmen showed courage and grit at a time in the history of our country when it wasn't easy, when black people were always, I mean, not treated well, and nobody believed they could do a thing," said Marsha Bordner.
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A statue of Brown was unveiled to help ensure his legacy will always remain.
"One thing that is wonderful about it is that he's remembered, this is his hometown now. He grew up in Minneapolis, but he wanted to be buried here rather than Arlington," said Bordner. "Because he wanted to be someplace where people could visit. So it's very sweet. Many of the people here, you know, dearly love him. So he's kind of an icon of our community."
Dozens of people, including his family and friends, say he was special in so many ways and inspired people in ways they will never forget.
"I mean, he was perfect, because he needed to do that to be successful in America. And then went on to a career in the community college system, so he was always about, 'if I can do it, you can do it'. And little children come up to this day and say, 'he told me if I could do it, you know, you could do it too'. So they strive, I think it's wonderful," said Bordner.
Harold Brown died in 2023.
To learn more about legacy of Harold Brown and the other Tuskegee Airmen, visit the Liberty Aviation Museum at the Erie-Ottawa Regional Airport in Port Clinton.
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