We Remember Paul Adams of the Tuskegee Airmen: Thank you for A Lifetime of Service to His Country and Community

February 10, 2025

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Lieutenant Colonel Paul Adams, of Greenville South Carolina, enrolled in the US Army after graduating from South Carolina State University in 1941. Paul trained at the Tuskegee University and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1943.

Adams flew with the 332nd Fighter Group, which established the unprecedented record of flying more than 1,500 missions in Europe and North Africa. Lieutenant Colonel Adams’ career saw nine major campaigns and he received the Commendation Medal with three Oak Leaf clusters.

According to CAF RISE ABOVE, “In 1945, Adams returned to the US and was Honorably discharged from the Army Air Corps. In 1946, Paul married Alda Thompson and the couple had three children. A year later he reentered the Air Force and served with distinction ultimately ending up as the Deputy Base Commander in Lincoln, Nebraska. He retired in 1963 with over 20 years of service.”

Paul Adams continued serving his community by establishing an impressive career in education. He taught for a number of years at Lincoln High School and in 2008 the City of Lincoln honored his contributions by naming a newly built elementary school in his honor.

“After retiring from Lincoln Public Schools in 1982, he continued to be active in the community. He was active in Quinn Chapel AME Church serving as Sunday School superintendent, teacher, steward and choir member. He was past president of the Lincoln Chapter of the NAACP and a member of Capital City Kiwanis, the Retired Officers Association, MAD DADS and the Lt. Col Paul Adams chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. He was a member of the American Legion Post #3, Lebanon Lodge #3, Omega Psi Phi fraternity and a former Board Member of the Boy Scouts of America.” – Lincoln Journal Star

On March 29, 2007 Lieutenant Colonel Adams, along with other surviving Tuskegee Airmen and family representatives, received the Congressional Gold Medal from President Bush and Congress in a ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda.

Paul Adams passed away on June 30, 2013 in Lincoln Nebraska at the age of 92. Lest We Forget.