"Only Negro pilot WWI"?

Does anyone have or know where I could find information on Cpl.(?) Eugene J. Bullard? I have seen only two small references. One stated that he was from Columbus Georgia and served with SPA.93 and SPA.85. Another referred to a black American "who was a French Sgt. and trained pilots for the Lafayette Escadrille". Thank You.

Two authors, Craig Lloyd and P.J. Carisella have authored books on Bullard. Take a look at the Internet sites that vend used books. There was a comprehensive discussion here in recent months which you might be able to re-locate by venturing into the "search" option on the bottom left of this site's "menu". EB was the only U.S. black flying but there were several others, of African origin, cited as being in service with the other belligerents: one in particular flew with as a Turkish pilot. Regards, Lee

[mike_baram]

It's politically incorrect to use the term "Negro"....while "Afro-American" was the term of choice during the 70's, it evolved into a tennis match between "Black" and "African-American". After all, we wouldn't want to cause Al Sharpton any more angst than he suffers from already.
In the meantime, you can start your search at these sites....I suggest downloading "Webferret"; it's a great time saver when doing a web search.

Wright-Patterson AFB History Museum -http://www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/history/history.htm

Allstar Network – Aviation History - http://www.allstar.fiu.edu/aero/Bullard.ht...R>Afro-American Almanac - http://www.toptags.com/aama/bio/men/ebull....BR>
National Aeronautics and Space Museum -http://www.nasm.edu/nasm/pa/nasmnews/history/bhistory/BULLARD.HTM

2 sources:

Mason: - Dalcons od France 1 chapter

Carisellea/Ryan: - Black Swallow of Death full book dedicated to Bullard's life

Not Falcons of France, High Flew the Falcons

There was a black (negro? Afro-American
that was called The Black Eagle of Harlem
I think his first name was Julian. Any-
body ever heard of him?

Was this gentleman ever in the U.S. Air Service? I understand he was born in the states but flew for the French. He must have been one fascinating aviator to have overcome the odds as he did.

[mike_baram]

When the US entered the war, American officers refused to accept Bullard as a pilot. They not only refused to believe his exploits, but the thought that a Black would be an officer, commanding whites, was anathema to them.
Bullard continued with the French, but was kicked out of the air service (probably because of insubordination), and returned to his old unit. But wounds received earlier (for which he had won the 'Croix de Guerre') kept him out of combat, and he ended the war performing menial duties.
After the war he became a night club owner, and used his bar as a place to glean information from German tourist which he passed on to French Intelligence.
When WWII broke out, he rejoined his old unit, was wounded in combat, and eventually made his way to the US where he helped raise money for the Free French. After the war he worked as an elevator operator in NY, until his death in 1961.

There is an excellent article on Bullard in Over the Front about Volume 1993. Just as a note the Turkish pilots name Ahmed (?) Cermal. As a note he was a Turkish officer.