Tuskegee Airmen were a group of African-American military fighters, bombers and airmen who fought in World War II.
The U.S. Armed Forces were segregated in World War II, thus in 1940 the US military selected Tuskegee Institute to train pilots. Tuskegee Institute, founded by Booker T. Washington, was the first institution of higher learning for African Americans. The Tuskegee program was expanded to become the center for African- American aviation during World War II. Tuskegee Airmen were active from 1941 to 1946.
The courage, dedication, and self-sacrifice of the Tuskegee Airmen inspired the nation. They overcame segregation and prejudice to become one of the most respected fighter groups of World War II and paved the way for full integration of the US Military.
At the City Council Meeting on Tuesday, March 8, Tuskegee Airman Daniel Keel was thanked for his service and received a proclamation from Clermont Mayor Tim Murry declaring March 17th as Tuskegee Airmen Recognition Day.
Daniel Keel served as a Flight Officer in the Air Force from 1943 to 1946. He is one of only five Tuskegee Airmen to receive a triple airman rating.
Keel was born in Mineola, New York in 1922 and was raised in South Carolina and Massachusetts. Keel is a 1941 graduate of Boston Latin School, where he received a classical education which included Latin and German, while also attaining the rank of Cadet 2nd Lieutenant in his JROTC regiment. He then continued his education at Northeastern University in Boston, majoring in aeronautical engineering.
Drafted into the US Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet in 1943, Keel began his initial training at Keesler Army Air Field in Biloxi, MS and Tuskegee Army Air Field, AL. Keel then continued his training at Hondo Army Air Field, TX, receiving his Twin Engine Navigator rating in 1944; receiving his second rating as an Aerial Bombardier at Midland Army Air Field, TX. While at Midland, he and his fellow Tuskegee Airmen officers sent a letter to the Inspector General in Washington, DC in protest of the unequal and segregated facilities on base. Social facilities were soon desegregated much to the consternation of local commanders. This incident was not declassified until 2015.
Keel earned his Third Rating as a Pilot at Tuskegee where he successfully completed Basic Single Engine training in the T-6 Texan Trainer. He then completed training in the B-25 “Mitchell” medium bomber in preparation of serving in the Pacific Theater with the 477th Composite Group, however, WW II ended prior to his deployment. Nonetheless, Keel holds the distinction of being one of only three Black Officers to earn Three Aeronautical Ratings during WW II.
Following his discharge in 1946, Keel obtained a Commercial Multi-Engine Pilot’s License with the dream that he could continue his passion for flying. Unfortunately, Black Pilots weren’t hired by commercial airlines until the 1960s. Instead, Keel together with his wife Barbara raised eight children in Massachusetts while becoming a Master Electrician and prominent commercial contractor until his retirement to Central Florida in 1998.
Daniel Keel currently resides in Clermont and is approaching his 100th birthday.
To learn more about Daniel Keel visit the National Tuskegee Airmen Website at Tuskegee Airmen.
