Aaron Charles Gaskins (1926 - 1982)

Biography

Aaron Charles Gaskins was born on February 5, 1926, in Hartford, Connecticut, to William P. Gaskins and Anna B. (Smith) Gaskins.^[1][2]

On April 5, 1930, Aaron, age 4, was listed in the census at 25 Pliny Street, Hartford, Connecticut, with his father, William, his mother, Anna, and his siblings, William, Barbara, Milton, and David.^[3]

According to the 1940 census, Aaron, age 14, was still living at 25 Pliny Street, Hartford, Connecticut. Also living there were his parents, William and Anna, and his siblings, Barbara, Milton, and David.^[4]

Aaron attended Henry Barnard Junior High School in Hartford, Connecticut, and graduated from Hartford Public High School in 1943. In his yearbook, he is described as a "modest, cheerful, and courteous school citizen" and is noted for never being late.^[5]

After graduating from high school, Aaron enrolled at Howard University in Washington, DC. Then, on February 5, 1944, his 18th birthday, he registered for the World War II draft.^[6] On May 3, 1944, in Fort Myer, Virginia, he enlisted as a private in the U.S. Army.^[7] On August 4, 1945, he graduated as a second lieutenant after completing training with class 45-E at Tuskegee Flight School, Tuskegee Army Air Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.^[8][9] He was discharged on February 21, 1946.^[10]

Aaron married Shirley Lucille Wright around 1947. Their son Aaron Charles Gaskins Jr. was born on February 3, 1948. Their daughter Grace Anna Gaskins was born on August 4, 1949. Their daughter April L. Gaskins was born on March 30, 1958.

Aaron passed away in Hartford on 16 Sep 1982,^[11] and was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Bloomfield, Connecticut.^[12]

Sources

1. ↑ Military: "U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947," database with images
   Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry Record 2238 #11919118 : accessed 23 November 2023)
   Name Aaron Charles Gaskins, Race Black, Age 18, Relationship to Draftee Self (Head), Birth Date 5 Feb 1926, Birth Place Hartford, Connecticut, USA, Residence Place Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut, USA, Registration Date 5 Feb 1944, Registration Place Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut, USA, Employer Student-Howard University, Height 5 6, Weight 140, Complexion Light Brown, Hair Color Black, Eye Color Brown, Next of Kin William P Gaskins,
   Household Members (Name) Age Relationship
   Aaron Charles Gaskins 18 Self (Head)
   citing National Archives at St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, Wwii Draft Registration Cards For Connecticut, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947, Record Group Records of the Selective Service System, 147, Box 152.
2. ↑ 1982 Social Security: "U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007," database
   (Ancestry Record 60901 #19554781 : accessed 23 November 2023)
   Name Aaron Charles Gaskins [A Gaskins], Gender Male, Race Black, Birth Date 5 Feb 1926, Birth Place Hartford, Connecticut, Death Date Sep 1982, Father William P Gaskins, Mother Anna B Smith, Notes Jun 1941: Name listed as AARON CHARLES GASKINS; 03 Jun 1988: Name listed as A GASKINS
   citing Original data Social Security Applications and Claims, 1936-2007.
3. ↑ 1930 Census: "1930 United States Federal Census," database with images
   Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry Record 6224 #9113549 : accessed 23 November 2023)
   Aaron S Gaskins (4), single son, in household of William P Gaskins (39) at 25 Pling St., Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut, USA. Born in Connecticut
   citing Year 1930, Census Place Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut, Page 13B, Enumeration District 0034, FHL microfilm 2339998.
4. ↑ 1940 Census: "1940 United States Federal Census," database with images
   Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry Record 2442 #130146186 : accessed 23 November 2023)
   Aaron Gaskins (14), single son, in household of William Gaskins (49) in Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut. Born in Connecticut
   citing Year 1940, Census Place Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut, Roll m-t0627-00535, Page 4A, Enumeration District 10-60.
5. ↑ 1943 School Yearbook: "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-2016," database with images
   Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry Record 1265 #1441222545 : accessed 23 November 2023)
   Name Aaron Charles Gaskins, Estimated Age Abt 16, Birth Year abt 1927, Yearbook Date 1943, School Hartford Public High School, School Location Hartford, Connecticut, USA, Yearbook Title Yearbook
   citing "U.S., School Yearbooks, 1880-2012", School Name Hartford Public High School, Year 1943.
6. ↑ Military: "U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947," database with images
   Ancestry Sharing Link - (Ancestry Record 2238 #11919118 : accessed 23 November 2023)
   Name Aaron Charles Gaskins, Race Black, Age 18, Relationship to Draftee Self (Head), Birth Date 5 Feb 1926, Birth Place Hartford, Connecticut, USA, Residence Place Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut, USA, Registration Date 5 Feb 1944, Registration Place Hartford, Hartford, Connecticut, USA, Employer Student-Howard University, Height 5 6, Weight 140, Complexion Light Brown, Hair Color Black, Eye Color Brown, Next of Kin William P Gaskins,
   Household Members (Name) Age Relationship
   Aaron Charles Gaskins 18 Self (Head)
   citing National Archives at St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, Wwii Draft Registration Cards For Connecticut, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947, Record Group Records of the Selective Service System, 147, Box 152.
7. ↑ Military: "U.S., World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946," database
   (Ancestry Record 8939 #5273623 : accessed 23 November 2023)
   Name Aaron C Gaskins, Race Negro (Black), Marital Status Single, without dependents (Single), Rank Private, Birth Year 1926, Nativity State or Country Connecticut, Citizenship Citizen, Residence Hartford, Connecticut, Education 4 years of high school, Enlistment Date 3 Mar 1944, Enlistment Place Fort Myer, Virginia, Service Number 33753139, Branch No branch assignment, Component Selectees (Enlisted Men), Source Civil Life, Height 00, Weight 003
   citing National Archives at College Park, College Park, Maryland, USA, Electronic Army Serial Number Merged File, 1938-1946, NAID 1263923, Record Group Title Records of the National Archives and Records Administration, 1789-ca. 2007, Record Group 64, Box Number 07031, Reel 220.
8. ↑ 1945 Newspaper: "Newspapers.com," database with images
   (Newspapers Clip: 135634038 : accessed 23 November 2023)
   citing The St. Louis Argus (St. Louis, Missouri) Fri, Aug 17, 1945, page 11.
9. ↑ 1945 Newspaper: "Newspapers.com," database with images
   (Newspapers Clip: 135634090 : accessed 23 November 2023)
   citing The New York Age (New York, New York) Sat, Aug 25, 1945, page 7.
10. ↑ Military: "U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010," database
    (Ancestry Record 2441 #13243824 : accessed 23 November 2023)
    Name A. C Gaskins, Birth Date 5 Feb 1926, Death Date 16 Sep 1982, Enlistment Branch ARMY, Enlistment Date 3 Mar 1944, Discharge Date 21 Feb 1946
    citing Original data Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS) Death File. Washington, D.C. U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Page number 1.
11. ↑ “U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010,” database and images, Ancestry ([https:www.ancestry.com] : accessed 12 November 2023), entry for A. C. Gaskins, died 16 Sep 1982; citing Beneficiary Identification Records Locator Subsystem (BIRLS) Death File',' Washington, D.C.: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.
12. ↑ “U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1861-1985,” database and images, Ancestry ([https:www.ancestry.com] : accessed 12 November 2023), entry for Aaron Charles Gaskins, 1982, Mt. View Cemetery, Bloomfield, Connecticut; citing National Archives at St. Louis (MO, USA), Applications for Headstones and Markers, 7/1/1970-9/30/1985, NAID 6016127, Record Group Number 15, Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, 1773-2007.