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Tuskegee Airman speaking at Las Positas College
Captured in Italy, he was POW in Poland

Tuskegee Airman retired Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson will speak to students and interested community members at Las Positas College on Oct. 3. Jefferson is best known as a member of the 332nd P-51 Red Tail Fighter Group, celebrated as the "Tuskegee Airmen," and as the author of "Red Tail Captured-Red Tail Free,"his personal World War II story.

Jefferson, 91 years old, first spoke at Las Positas in 2010, discussing his experiences as a member of the "greatest generation." He received his pilot's wings in July 1944 and was based in Ramitelli, Italy. While on his 18th combat mission on Aug. 2, he was shot down over southern France. After being held in a prisoner-of-war camp in Poland he was freed by Gen. George Patton's Third Army.

"The campus is honored to welcome back Lt. Col. Jefferson to share his remarkable experience with us and to educate a new audience about one man's historic contribution in World War II," said history instructor Teri Ann Bengiveno, who has has organized Jefferson's visit with the assistance of the Viet Nam Veterans of Diablo Valley.

Jefferson will speak at 12:30 p.m. in the Main Stage auditorium of the College's Mertes Center for the Arts. There is no charge for admission but the campus has a $2 parking fee. Daily tickets are available from vending machines in the campus parking lots. The College is located at 3000 Campus Hill Drive in Livermore.

Posted by mooseturd, a resident of the Pleasanton Valley neighborhood, on Oct 3, 2012 at 8:15 pm
mooseturd is a member (registered user) of PleasantonWeekly.com

I went to see and hear Col. Jefferson. He is an amazing man. The moment I liked best was when an audience member challenged him about what he did for civil rights. His response was, "I marched with Martin King".

Posted by Cholo, a resident of Livermore, on Oct 8, 2012 at 5:11 pm

Thank you for your service!