Henry Cabot Lodge Bohler
Encyclopedia
Henry Cabot Lodge Bohler (June 8, 1925 – August 10, 2007) was a member of the prestigious Tuskegee Airmen
during World War II
who would later aid the advancement of civil rights
for African-Americans living in the rural Southern United States
.
in 1925, Bohler would spend much of his life being told what he couldn't do. He dreamed of flying one day, but was told he couldn't become a pilot because he was black. Instead of accepting that decision, he enlisted in the Army Air Forces
at the age of 17. At enlistment, he weighed 109 pounds, which was one pound under the minimum weight for airmen; through persuasion, he was able to join anyway.
Bohler would train at the Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama
, the home base of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African-American air corps in the United States. He learned to fly the P-51 Mustang
fighter, and earned his wings in 1944. At that point, the air forces did not need any more pilots. Bohler would nonetheless remain with the air forces until 1947, earning the rank of second lieutenant. He then attended and graduated from Hampton University
in Hampton, Virginia
.
Returning to Augusta, he met and married his wife, the future Clifford Marie Bohler, at an ice cream shop her aunt owned. "He came in, and the rest is history," Mrs. Bohler would later recount. She would add how persistent he was, and that "he wouldn't take no for an answer."
, Florida
in 1950. This time, he was told that he could not own his own business. His persistence again paid off as he became Tampa's first African-American licensed electrician
and operated his own business enterprise.
In 1960, Bohler, his wife and their three children went to the Lowry Park Zoo
in Tampa. The family was denied entry to the zoo because of their race. Bohler sued the city for discrimination. During the two years it took to hear the case, Bohler was routinely harassed by city police who would pull his car over and demand to check his driver's license. On the day he was ordered to appear in federal court, he was pulled over five times.
As before, Bohler ultimately prevailed, with the result being a 1962 federal order requiring Tampa to integrate its public recreation facilities.
He was forced to stop flying at the age of 80 after being diagnosed with a brain tumor
. Some time later, he fell in his garage and hit his head, which apparently caused bleeding on the brain that was undetected at the time. He was later admitted to a local hospital and spent the next two years in various care facilities.
Henry Bohler died on August 10, 2007 in Tampa, Florida
from complications from his injuries. He is survived by his wife, three children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.
Tuskegee Airmen
The Tuskegee Airmen is the popular name of a group of African American pilots who fought in World War II. Formally, they were the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps....
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
who would later aid the advancement of civil rights
Civil rights
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
for African-Americans living in the rural Southern United States
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
.
Early life
Born in Augusta, GeorgiaAugusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
in 1925, Bohler would spend much of his life being told what he couldn't do. He dreamed of flying one day, but was told he couldn't become a pilot because he was black. Instead of accepting that decision, he enlisted in the Army Air Forces
United States Army Air Forces
The United States Army Air Forces was the military aviation arm of the United States of America during and immediately after World War II, and the direct predecessor of the United States Air Force....
at the age of 17. At enlistment, he weighed 109 pounds, which was one pound under the minimum weight for airmen; through persuasion, he was able to join anyway.
Bohler would train at the Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
, the home base of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African-American air corps in the United States. He learned to fly the P-51 Mustang
P-51 Mustang
The North American Aviation P-51 Mustang was an American long-range, single-seat fighter and fighter-bomber used during World War II, the Korean War and in several other conflicts...
fighter, and earned his wings in 1944. At that point, the air forces did not need any more pilots. Bohler would nonetheless remain with the air forces until 1947, earning the rank of second lieutenant. He then attended and graduated from Hampton University
Hampton University
Hampton University is a historically black university located in Hampton, Virginia, United States. It was founded by black and white leaders of the American Missionary Association after the American Civil War to provide education to freedmen.-History:...
in Hampton, Virginia
Hampton, Virginia
Hampton is an independent city that is not part of any county in Southeast Virginia. Its population is 137,436. As one of the seven major cities that compose the Hampton Roads metropolitan area, it is on the southeastern end of the Virginia Peninsula. Located on the Hampton Roads Beltway, it hosts...
.
Returning to Augusta, he met and married his wife, the future Clifford Marie Bohler, at an ice cream shop her aunt owned. "He came in, and the rest is history," Mrs. Bohler would later recount. She would add how persistent he was, and that "he wouldn't take no for an answer."
The civil-rights era
Bohler's persistence would be challenged again after he and his family moved to TampaTâmpa
Tâmpa may refer to several villages in Romania:* Tâmpa, a village in Băcia Commune, Hunedoara County* Tâmpa, a village in Miercurea Nirajului, Mureş County* Tâmpa, a mountain in Braşov city...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
in 1950. This time, he was told that he could not own his own business. His persistence again paid off as he became Tampa's first African-American licensed electrician
Electrician
An electrician is a tradesman specializing in electrical wiring of buildings, stationary machines and related equipment. Electricians may be employed in the installation of new electrical components or the maintenance and repair of existing electrical infrastructure. Electricians may also...
and operated his own business enterprise.
In 1960, Bohler, his wife and their three children went to the Lowry Park Zoo
Lowry Park Zoo
Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo is a nonprofit zoo located in Tampa, Florida. In 2004, Lowry Park Zoo was voted the #1 Family Friendly Zoo in the US by Child Magazine, and is recognized by the State of Florida as the center for Florida wildlife conservation and biodiversity .Tampa's Lowry Park Zoological...
in Tampa. The family was denied entry to the zoo because of their race. Bohler sued the city for discrimination. During the two years it took to hear the case, Bohler was routinely harassed by city police who would pull his car over and demand to check his driver's license. On the day he was ordered to appear in federal court, he was pulled over five times.
As before, Bohler ultimately prevailed, with the result being a 1962 federal order requiring Tampa to integrate its public recreation facilities.
Later life
Throughout his life, Bohler never forgot his heritage. He and other former Tuskegee Airmen would often speak to school groups. He would attend yearly reunions of the Airmen, flying his own Piper Archer airplane to the events.He was forced to stop flying at the age of 80 after being diagnosed with a brain tumor
Brain tumor
A brain tumor is an intracranial solid neoplasm, a tumor within the brain or the central spinal canal.Brain tumors include all tumors inside the cranium or in the central spinal canal...
. Some time later, he fell in his garage and hit his head, which apparently caused bleeding on the brain that was undetected at the time. He was later admitted to a local hospital and spent the next two years in various care facilities.
Henry Bohler died on August 10, 2007 in Tampa, Florida
Tampa, Florida
Tampa is a city in the U.S. state of Florida. It serves as the county seat for Hillsborough County. Tampa is located on the west coast of Florida. The population of Tampa in 2010 was 335,709....
from complications from his injuries. He is survived by his wife, three children, seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.