Decorated war pilot to talk at Keystone

Roscoe Brown Jr. flew in WW II as a member of the Tuskegee Airmen.

Times Leader staff

A member of the World War II Tuskegee Airmen will return to Keystone College in May as the principal speaker at the college’s 138th annual commencement exercises.

Roscoe Brown Jr., Ph.D., will address members of the Class of 2009 during ceremonies on Saturday, May 16, at 2 p.m. at Bailey Field.

As an Army Air Force captain, Brown commanded the 100th Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group. The group became known as the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African-American military pilots in U.S. history. The Airmen became famous for their bravery and success throughout the course of the war. Today, they are still revered for overcoming many obstacles to distinguish themselves in service of their country. Brown has visited Keystone on previous occasions to speak to students and other members of the college community.

Brown received the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal with eight oak leaf clusters. He is credited with being the first 15th Air Force pilot to shoot down a German jet fighter, and has been honored by the Intrepid Air-Space Museum for his outstanding leadership as squadron commander. Brown completed his military career in 1949.

A native of Washington, D.C., Brown earned his Ph.D. from New York University and has pursued a successful career in higher education. For more than 25 years, he served as a full professor at New York University and was founding director of the university’s Institute of Afro-American Affairs.

He also completed a 16-year tenure as president of Bronx Community College of City University of New York. Brown created the Center for Urban Education Policy at CUNY Graduate School and University Center and served as its director.

He has received numerous awards and honors for scholarly and community activities, among them the NAACP Freedom Award, the Congressional Award for Service to the African-American Community, and Distinguished Alumnus Awards for his alma maters. He has been inducted into the National Association for Sports and Physical Education Hall of Fame and was named “New York City Treasure” by the Museum of the City of New York.