Happy Birthday to Lt. Col. Robert J. Friend. Today Lt. Col. Friend turns 97 and is one of the few remaining Tuskegee Airmen. Thanks to hollywoodpost43 and Rebecca Stewart-Wilson for inviting Lt. Col. Friend speak earlier this month for Black History at Hollywood Post 43. In 1942, Mr. Friend joined the Air Force and was sent to Tuskegee Institute for pilot training. After receiving his wings as an Air Force Pilot, Mr. Friend was promoted to a Lieutenant and at that time was assigned to the 332nd Fighter Group as a pilot under Col. B.O. Davis, Jr. He was then sent to Schlfridge Air Force Base in Michigan for flight tactical aircraft transition before his combat tour. In 1943, Lieutenant Friend reported to the European Theatre of War as a member of Tuskegee Airmen’s Distinguished 322nd Group, which was a Fighter Pilot Organization. As a skillful pilot of the P47 and P51 single engine planes, Lieutenant Friend flew as the wing man for the Commander of the group, Col. B.O. Davis. Lt. ...