A-Train: Memoirs of a Tuskegee Airman (signed)

Tuscaloosa & London: The University of Alabama Press, 1997. SIGNED by the AUTHOR and 5 other Tuskegee Airmen / Red Tails. The author, Lieutenant Colonel Charles W. Dryden (U. S. Air Force, Retired), has signed as "Chuck 'A-Train' Dryden." Five others have also signed, including LTC Alex Jefferson, 332rd FG, 301st F.S.; Dennis Mills, Tuskegee Airmen; Burton Lowe, Tuskegee Airmen, Capt Richard D. Macon, P-51 [Mustang] Pilot, 99th F.S.; and 1 more (their signatures only, NOT personalized to anyone). For more about these heroes, SEE BELOW. Fine condition. Square and tight. Sharp corners. NO owner's name or bookplate. NOT a library discard. NOT a remainder. Hinges are perfect. Pages are fresh, crisp, clean and unmarked. 1997. First Printing of the First Edition. Foreword by Lieutenant General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr, USAF (Ret). Illustrated with a few b&w photos. Bibliography. Glossary, Index. Bound in the original silver-stamped blue cloth. From the publisher: "A-Train is the story of one of the black Americans who, during World War II, graduated from Tuskegee (AL) Flying School and served as a pilot in the Army Air Corps 99th Pursuit Squadron. Charles W. Dryden presents a fast-paced, balanced, and personal account of what it was like to prepare for a career traditionally closed to African Americans, how he coped with the frustrations and dangers of combat, and how he, along with many fellow black pilots, navigators, bombardiers, and crewmen, emerged with a magnificent war record. Under the command of Colonel Benjamin O. Davis Jr., the Tuskegee airmen fought over North Africa, Sicily, and Europe, escorting American bomber crews who respected their 'no-losses' record. Some were shot down, many of them were killed or captured by the enemy, and several won medals of valor and honor. But the airmen still faced great barriers of racial prejudice in the armed forces and at home. As a member of that elite group of young pilots who fought for their country overseas while being denied civil liberties at home, Dryden presents an eloquent story that will touch each and every reader." From Wikipedia: "Alexander Jefferson (November 15, 1921 – June 22, 2022) was an American Air Force officer, famous as one of the Tuskegee Airmen, the 332nd Fighter Group. He served in the United States Army Air Forces during World War II. His book, Red Tail Captured, Red Tail Free: Memoirs of a Tuskegee Airman and POW, is a personal memoir of those who served America in World War II and after." Dennis Mills and Burton Lowe were also Tuskegee Airmen / Red Tails. Richard Macon, a Captain (CPT) with the US Air Force (USAF) Tuskegee Airmen was the first black Prisoner of War (POW) during World War II. -- per DPLA.. SIGNED by the AUTHOR and 5 other Tuskegee Airmen. First Printing of the First Edition. Hardcover. Fine condition/No dust jacket. Illus. by NOT a library discard. 8vo. xvii, 421pp. Great Packaging, Fast Shipping.