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Rudolph K. Silas
Born December 17, 1929 in Lehigh, OK, Mr. Silas joined the
Army at the age of 16, seeing no other future for young black
men at the time. His enlistment in July 1946, led him to Perrin
Field in Sherman, TX and then to Fort Sam Houston in San
Antonio. “One day the First Sergeant asked for 21 volunteers
for the Air Force, that’s when my aviation career began”.
After the San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center (now Lackland
Air Force Base (AFB), Mr. Silas was transferred to Williams
Field, Arizona serving as mechanic and crew chief on P-47, P-
51, B-25 and A-26 aircraft. From 1951-1954, Mr. Silas was
involved in initial B-29 bomber aircrew training at Randolph
Field (Texas), followed by tours at Andrews (MD), Chanute
(IL) and Norton (CA) where, on B-25 flying status, he
supported the Air Force Inspection General Flight Safety
Division.
On retirement from active duty in 1966, Mr. Silas remained
active and working - advancing to the Air Logistics Center
Quality Assurance position at Tinker AFB. He also attended
Rose State College majoring in Business Administration; and
received his Aircraft and Powerplant (A&P) certificate in 1984
before retiring from civil service in 1987 with a combined 39
years of military and federal service.
Army at the age of 16, seeing no other future for young black
men at the time. His enlistment in July 1946, led him to Perrin
Field in Sherman, TX and then to Fort Sam Houston in San
Antonio. “One day the First Sergeant asked for 21 volunteers
for the Air Force, that’s when my aviation career began”.
After the San Antonio Aviation Cadet Center (now Lackland
Air Force Base (AFB), Mr. Silas was transferred to Williams
Field, Arizona serving as mechanic and crew chief on P-47, P-
51, B-25 and A-26 aircraft. From 1951-1954, Mr. Silas was
involved in initial B-29 bomber aircrew training at Randolph
Field (Texas), followed by tours at Andrews (MD), Chanute
(IL) and Norton (CA) where, on B-25 flying status, he
supported the Air Force Inspection General Flight Safety
Division.
On retirement from active duty in 1966, Mr. Silas remained
active and working - advancing to the Air Logistics Center
Quality Assurance position at Tinker AFB. He also attended
Rose State College majoring in Business Administration; and
received his Aircraft and Powerplant (A&P) certificate in 1984
before retiring from civil service in 1987 with a combined 39
years of military and federal service.
