Vernon Hopsen WW2 War Tuskegee Airman Pilot Hand Signed Photo

PFAS120  This is an original hand signed souvenir for historic Tuskagee WW2 airman Vernon Hopsen who has personally autographed the souvenir where his signature rests perfectly accompanying his portrait in mint condition and undedicated too.

When Vernon was old enough he joined the Army Air Force in World War II.  He was enrolled in the Tuskegee University Flight Training Program where he became one of many elite Black pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Vernon learned how to fly the Red Tail P-40 Warhawks and P-47 Thunderbolts.  The Curtiss P-40 was an American single-engine, single-seat, all-metal fighter and ground attack aircraft that first flew in 1938. It was used by the air forces of 28 nations, including those of most Allied powers during World War II, and remained in front line service until the end of the war. 

The P-47 Thunderbolt, also known as the "Jug," was the biggest, heaviest, and most expensive fighter aircraft in history to be powered by a single piston engine. It was one of the main United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) fighters of World War II, and also served with other Allied air forces. The P-47 was effective in air combat but proved especially adept at ground attack. It had eight .50-caliber machine guns, four per wing. When fully loaded the P-47 could weigh up to eight tons.

After Vernons training was completed, on the day he was to be deployed, his unit was called back. Vernon did not get the chance to fly in combat however he served 20 years in the military. Because of Vernons military training he qualified and became one of the nation's first Black Air Traffic Controllers. For more than 20 years, Vernon was an air traffic controller at St. Paul Minneapolis International Airport, and St. Paul's Holman Field. In 1987, Vernon retired.