14 Facts About Fitzroy Newsum

Fitzroy "Buck" Newsum was an American military pilot and officer who was one of the original members of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II.

Fitzroy Newsum was raised on the island of Barbados, where he saw his first airplane, a Curtiss Robin, land near his home in 1929 when he was 10 years old.

Fitzroy Newsum graduated from the College of Military Science at the University of Maryland.

Fitzroy Newsum joined the New York National Guard in 1939 Fitzroy Newsum was second lieutenant in the Anti-Aircraft Coast Artillery Corps in 1941 and was sent to Hawaii, where he commanded an anti-aircraft missile group on the islands, following the attack on Pearl Harbor.

Fitzroy Newsum was one of just thirteen men to pass the test.

Fitzroy Newsum was one of ten officers to preside over the Freemen Field Mutiny courts-martial.

Fitzroy Newsum later obtained a master's degree in public administration from the University of Oklahoma.

Fitzroy Newsum reached the rank of colonel before retiring in 1970.

Fitzroy Newsum worked as a public relations manager at Martin Marietta in Denver, Colorado, after leaving the military.

Fitzroy Newsum was inducted into the Colorado Aviation Hall of Fame in 1991.

Fitzroy Newsum died in Denver, Colorado, on January 5,2013, at the age of 95.

Fitzroy Newsum was buried at Fort Logan National Cemetery with full military honors.

Fitzroy Newsum was survived by his wife of sixty-six years, Joan Carney Fitzroy Newsum, four children and four grandchildren.

US Senator Mark Udall paid tribute to Fitzroy Newsum following his death, noting that he proudly served as the US military despite the segregation of the era.