Tuskegee Airman instructor passes away in Dothan

By Greg Phillips

Published: August 20, 2008

After 88 years, one of the men responsible for the Tuskegee Airmen took his final flight Wednesday.

Sherman Rose, a Tuskegee Airmen flight instructor, died at Southeast Alabama Medical Center on Wednesday, leaving behind a legacy of courage and kindness.

“That is so tragic. He was a class act and always a gentleman,” said Alabama NAACP President Ed Vaughn, who attended church with Rose. “I just loved the man. Mr. Rose certainly has lived an exemplary life. He was a patriot. He made history. I’d see him every Sunday. He was just a beautiful person. I respected him so much because he was such a gentleman.”

Rose was among the first black men to receive pilot training as part of the U.S. government’s Civilian Pilot Training Program, which led directly to the formation of the Tuskegee Airmen.

He later worked as a flight instructor at Fort Rucker for 20 years, continuing to break down racial barriers.

According to former Dothan mayor James Grant, who served from 1973 to 1981, Rose contributed much to Dothan as well in addition the country as a whole.

“He and I worked together when I was mayor and did several things. He went to Washington with us and helped me get grants from the federal government several times,” Grant said. “We applied for grants to do things like Industrial Park and other things. “He was always just such a gentleman whenever he was around me or anyone else. He was truly a great Dothanite and did a lot for this community.”

Rose’s story will continue to inspire, according to Vaughn.

“He was an instructor of pilots at Tuskegee Airfield during World War II under all sorts of problems inside the military and outside,” Vaughn said. “My dad served in World War II in the Navy, and that was the greatest generation, no question about that. Mr. Rose was right in the middle of it. He was a part of the greatest generation. I will definitely will miss him. He was tops. Oh, I will miss him. I will definitely miss him.”

A mural honoring Rose and the Tuskegee Airmen was completed in May 2001 and is located in downtown Dothan.