Alphonso Simmons (1919 - 1945)

Born 25 Mar 1919 in Ocilla, Irwin, Georgia, United States

Died 3 Mar 1945 at age 25 in Italy

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Biography

Alphonso Simmons is Notable.

Alphonso Simmons was Killed in Action during World War II.

Alphonso Simmons is a Military Veteran.
Served in the United States Army Air Force 100th Fighter Squadron 1943-1945
Tuskegee Airman flying Ace

Alphonso Simmons was awarded the Purple Heart.

Alphonso Simmons served as a US military pilot during World War II. He was one of the “Documented Original Tuskegee Airmen.” The Tuskegee Airmen were known for heroic combat service in support of Allied Forces in the European Theater. They served with the 332d Expeditionary Operations Group and the 477th Bombardment Group, both largely Black units of the United States Army Air Forces.^[1]

Alphonso Simmons was born in 1919, the son of John Simmons and Rose Powell. He was the youngest of eight children. He was born in Georgia, but his father moved the family to Jacksonville, Florida when he was young. It was there that he grew up, and in 1940, he registered for the draft.^[2] He was employed as a teacher by the Works Progress Administration.

Alphonso enrolled in the Tuskegee Institute Air Pilot Program, and was awarded his wings on Oct 15, 1943. ^[3] He was assigned to the 100th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group and deployed to Ramitelli Air base in Italy. In November of 1944, he was promoted from 2nd LT to First Lieutenant. 8 fellow airmen were promoted to the rank of Captain.^[4]. Prior to his promotion, Alphonso was flight on an escort mission with B-17;s on a mission to Gyor, Hungary. He was flying a P-51C when he was reported missing south of Banja Luka, Yugoslavia. He was able to evade enemy forces in Yugoslavia, and returned to his unit on Sept 8. ^[5]

On Mar 3, 1945, he departed Ramitelli Airfield on a rail-strafing mission in part of of Slovenia and Austria. A fellow pilot, Robert Martin relayed the story that he and Alphonso chose to shoot up two airplanes that they saw sitting in a field. Both planes were shot by antiaircraft fire. Martin parachuted to safety, and was held safe by Yugoslavian allies. Alphonso's plane crashed, resulting in his death.^[6]

He is buried in Sicily-Rome American Cemetery.^[7]

Sources

1. ↑ https://cafriseabove.org/alphonso-simmons/
2. ↑ Military: "U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947"
   National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; WWII Draft Registration Cards for Florida, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 407
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 2238 #12547844
   Name: Alphonso Simmons; Race: Black; Age: 21; Birth Date: 25 Mar 1919; Birth Place: Ocilla, Georgia, USA; Residence Place: Jacksonville, Duval, Florida, USA; Registration Date: 16 Oct 1940; Registration Place: Jacksonville, Duval, Florida, USA; Employer: Jacksonville Negro Art Center W P A; Height: 5 9; Weight: 155; Complexion: Dark Brown; Hair Color: Black; Eye Color: Brown; Next of Kin: Rosa A Simmons Mother.
3. ↑ Jackson Advocate,(Jackson, MS) 16 Oct 1943, pg 7.
4. ↑ The Pittsburgh Courier, 25 Nov 1944, pg. 2
5. ↑ The Tuskegee Airmen, An Illustrated History,1939-1949; By Joseph Caver, Jerome A. Ennels, Daniel Lee Haulman, pg 178
6. ↑ https://nationalpost.com/news/world/robert-martin-the-tuskegee-airman-who-flew-63-and-a-half-combat-missions-dies-aged-99
7. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/56314429/alphonso-simmons

• 1930 Census: "1930 United States Federal Census"
  Year: 1930; Census Place: Jacksonville, Duval, Florida; Page: 37B; Enumeration District: 0039; FHL microfilm: 2340048
  Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 6224 #102754350
  Alfonso Simmons (11), single son, in household of John Simmons (48) at 1247 Bridier, Jacksonville, Duval, Florida, USA. Born in Georgia.