Tuskegee Airman buried in Suffolk helped lay groundwork for Red Tails (opens original article in a new tab)

Second Lt. William H. Walker, a Tuskegee Airman from Suffolk, Virginia, died in a training accident before seeing combat but contributed to the legacy of the 332nd Fighter Group, known as the Red Tails. He is buried in Suffolk, and his gravesite is a historical reminder of his role in paving the way for future Black aviators.

• William H. Walker was a Tuskegee Airman who died in a training accident in 1942.
• He was part of the 332nd Fighter Group, later known as the Red Tails, the first Black military aviators in the U.S. Army Air Forces.
• Historians credit Walker's contributions with helping open doors for future Black pilots and the integration of the Air Force.
• Walker is buried at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Suffolk, where visitors still honor his memory.