Meet Calvin J. Spann (1924-2015)

Meet Calvin J. Spann - “Calvin J. Spann fought many battles. He was born in 1924 and grew up at 130 East Passaic Avenue in Rutherford. His father died when Calvin was 16, and his mother supported his family while everyone worked together to make do. He attended Mt. Ararat Church, participated in boxing and football, and dreamed of flying. While attending Rutherford High School, he submitted to a three-year college equivalency program needed to join the Army Air Corps. Wartime service called in 1943 during his last year of high school. He got his first exposure to 1940s segregation while traveling south to Tuskegee, Alabama. Calvin Spann was determined to succeed in the “Tuskegee Experiment”, an intensive training course for African American pilots. He received his wings and prepared for overseas combat duty. He became a member of the 100th fighter squadron, 332nd Fighter Group, and was part of the legendary “Red Tail” fighter pilots commanded by Benjamin O. Davis Jr. Lieutenant Spann flew 26 combat missions and was honorably discharged. His outstanding service put him at the vanguard that helped end segregation in the United States. (Courtesy Calvin Spann Family)”

(William Neumann, 2012, “Images of America-Rutherford”, Published by Arcadia Publishing, Charleston, South Carolina.)