Vernon Sport

Infobox Military Person
name=Vernon Kingsley Sport
lived=1923 – September 8, 2008
placeofbirth=
placeofdeath=Conyers, Georgia


caption=
nickname=
allegiance=flagicon|United States United States of America
branch=United States Army Air Corps
serviceyears=
rank=Captain squad commander
commands=
unit=Tuskegee Airmen
battles=World War II
awards=Congressional Medal of Honor
relations=
laterwork=

Vernon Kingsley Sport (1923-September 8, 2008citeweb|url=http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/obits/stories/2008/09/13/vernon_sport.html|title=Vernon Sport, 85, Tuskegee Airman|work=Atlanta Journal-Constitution|author=Kirsten Tagami|date=2008-09-13|accessdate=2008-09-13] ) was a member of the prestigious Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. In later life he worked for the cause of affirmative action and donated much of his time to help those in need.

Early life

Vernon Sport enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps immediately after graduating from high school. He requested a posting at Moton Field in Tuskegee, Alabama, the home field of the Tuskegee Airmen. Each time, he was turned down for lacking a college degree. In retrospect, "it was an exercise in determination. He continuously requested to try out for the airmen. He didn’t have a college education at that time, but he was very well-read," Dr. Alfred Wyatt, Sport's son-in-law, would note later. Eventually, he would prevail, rising to the rank of captain squad commander. After leaving the Air Corps, Sport would earn a bachelor's degree from Suffolk University and a master's degree from Goddard College.

Later life

Sport moved to Massachusetts, where he worked in the state courts as an affirmative action officer, helping to ensure equal access for African-Americans. He also served on the boards of such notable organizations as the NAACP, the American Heart Association and the American Cancer Society. His son-in-law would later recount, "I think the experience of being with the Tuskegee Airmen prepared him to be a leader." Sport retired and moved to Conyers, Georgia in 1988, but that didn't stop him from helping others. He worked with an Atlanta-area charity, the Angels of Mercy, which provided food and support to homeless persons, for many years. In 2007, Sport, along with the other Tuskegee Airmen, would receive the Congressional Medal of Honor for their service.

Vernon Sport died in Conyers, Georgia on September 8, 2008, of complications from Alzheimer's Disease. He was survived by his wife, three sisters and four children.

References