2008-07-05T19:51:25Z http://blog.blackmilitaryworld.com/comments/atom.aspx Quick Blog tag:blog.blackmilitaryworld.com,2008-05-09:1032984 Mary Moore 2008-05-11T11:07:31Z 2008-05-09T12:51:37Z http://www.timbojamrecords.com/mp3/american.mp3]]> tag:blog.blackmilitaryworld.com,2008-04-23:993043 Kenneth J 2008-04-24T11:03:41Z 2008-04-23T02:38:51Z
God Bless.
SGT Johnson, Kenneth]]> tag:blog.blackmilitaryworld.com,2008-03-30:930595 Cindy 2008-03-30T10:55:22Z 2008-03-30T10:55:22Z tag:blog.blackmilitaryworld.com,2008-03-22:912042 diamondpony 2008-03-22T17:14:53Z 2008-03-22T17:14:53Z tag:blog.blackmilitaryworld.com,2008-03-22:911442 diamondpony 2008-03-23T15:56:06Z 2008-03-22T10:03:58Z
diamondpony]]> tag:blog.blackmilitaryworld.com,2008-03-20:907515 Tom Baxter 2008-03-20T15:07:25Z 2008-03-20T15:07:25Z
1 On what date did the first black marine(s) complete basic training and become members of the US Marines?
2 As of today, how many black marine officers have been promoted to Brigadier General?, Major General?, Lt General?, General?

Thanks]]> tag:blog.blackmilitaryworld.com,2008-03-12:888295 Jesse Anderson 2008-03-23T15:53:25Z 2008-03-12T12:05:32Z tag:blog.blackmilitaryworld.com,2008-02-24:851515 Gabriel Christian http://www.marylandattorneyatlaw.com 2008-02-24T15:53:31Z 2008-02-24T15:53:31Z Squadron Leader Philip Louis Ulric Cross, DFC, DSO
139 (Jamaica) Squadron RAF Bomber Command


Phillip Louis Ulric Cross is the most decorated West Indian to have seen service in the Royal Air Force during World War II, having been awarded the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) and Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC). He graduated as a barrister from the Middle Temple in 1949, and served as Attorney General in Cameroon and a high court judge in Ghana and Tanzania.

Now ninety, Judge Cross was born on May 1, 1917 in Belmont, Port of Spain, Trinidad. He recalls:

.I served as a navigator in the Pathfinder section of 139 squadron; the famous “Jamaica Squadron” of the RAF. The pathfinders led the way on bombing raids; a most dangerous task. Our unit flew the famous Mosquito bomber, which was made mainly of wood. Jamaica had paid for many of the planes of139 squadron, hence the name. There was also a Trinidad Squadron, where Trinidad had paid for those planes. I was the only West Indian on my squadron.

First, I flew 30 missions over Germany and occupied Europe. After 30 missions one earns a rest and can divert to teaching other pilots etc. However, I was interested in continuing the mission. At 50 missions, they again asked me to take a rest. I declined and flew 80 missions over Germany and occupied Europe before the war ended. My most harrowing mission is when one of the engines of our Mosquito fighter-bomber was shot up over Germany and we came down to 7,000 feet from 35,000 feet. We struggled back to England and crash landed in a quarry. It was a narrow escape but we made it out alive. The navigator is key, as we are the ones who tell the pilot how to get to and from the destination or target. I ended the war as a squadron leader and was then sent to the Colonial Office to act as liaison for all colonial forces. It was there that I was phoned and advised that I was awarded the DSO. A plane was sent for me and I was given the award and we had a party.

In all 250 Trinidadians flew in combat in the RAF during the war and 50 died in action. Many hundreds more, maybe more than a thousand, served with other West Indians, as ground crew. I knew the Jamaican Vincent Buntin; he was a fighter pilot and I believe he flew in the Battle of Britain. I met him in England. Julian Marryshow of Grenada was also a fighter pilot and he is still alive, I believe. Osborne Kelsick of Montserrat was a fighter pilot. I met Michael Manley of Jamaica in London, still in the uniform of the Royal Canadian Air Force and we became friends.]]> tag:blog.blackmilitaryworld.com,2008-02-18:837854 Trip 2008-02-26T22:52:35Z 2008-02-18T19:04:06Z tag:blog.blackmilitaryworld.com,2008-02-18:837584 Trip 2008-02-26T22:51:12Z 2008-02-18T16:13:05Z