Tuskegee Airmen
Wilmore B. Leonard (19?? – April 2, 1978) was an American college professor, U.S. Army Air Corps/U.S. Air Force officer and combat fighter pilot with the 332nd Fighter Group.[1] One of 1,007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots, Leonard was a member of Tuskegee's sixth cadet graduating class and one of the first 50 African American combat fighter pilots.[2] He served during World War II, retiring from the military in 1946. He subsequently attended the Howard University School of Dentistry, and became a dentistry professor, holding the position for 25 years.
Early life
Leonard was born in Salisbury, Maryland on Maryland's Eastern Shore. He had two siblings, Howard E. Leonard Jr. and Lillian Flamer. In 1939, he graduated from the Hampton Institute. He taught at Accomac County High School in Accomac, Virginia on Virginia's Eastern Shore.[3]
Leonard was married to Elizabeth A. Leonard. They had one daughter, Charmaine L. Jackson, and one grandchild.[3]
Military career
On September 6, 1942, Leonard graduated from the Tuskegee Flight School's Single Engine Section Class SE-42-H, earning his wings and a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant.[1] One of 1,007 documented Tuskegee Airmen Pilots, Leonard was a member of Tuskegee's sixth cadet graduating class and one of the first 50 African American combat fighter pilots.[2] He served in World War II's European Theater. In 1946, Leonard left the military with the rank of captain.[3]
Awards
Congressional Gold Medal Awarded to the Tuskegee Airmen in 2006.[4]
Post-military career and professorship
In 1947, Leonard applied and was provisionally admitted to the University of Maryland's graduate school in the chemistry department. Maryland subsequently rescinded its admissions decision, officially citing dissatisfaction with Leonard's previous average grades, though probably as a result of Leonard's race.[5][6]
In 1948, Leonard attended the Howard University School of Dentistry,[3] graduating in 1952.[citation needed] He worked there as a professor for 25 years until his retirement in May 1976. He served as Howard's associate director of clinics, secretary to the faculty. He taught oral diagnosis, endodontics, oral therapeutics, pharmacology. Howard University School of Dentistry awarded him the Howard University College of Dentistry Alumni Award for outstanding contributions to dental education. Leonard was a member of the American Dental Association, the National Dental Association, the Robert T. Freeman Dental Society and the District of Columbia Dental Society. He also authored multiple journal articles on periodontology and endodontics.[3]
Death
Leonard suffered from cancer and died on April 2, 1978, at Howard University Hospital in Washington, DC.[3]
