Although Eugene Bullard faced immense hate, violence, and racism, he made himself known as the first African American military pilot.
Eugene was born in 1895 in Columbus, Georgia, where he was taught by his parents to love everyone despite their differences. They shielded him from the prominent presence of hate and racism in American society. This childhood ignorance of racism ended at 11 years old when Eugene’s father was chased down and threatened by a lynch mob, causing Eugene to run away in hopes of finding a more loving community. At 16, Eugene stowed away on a ship leaving from Virginia, taking him to Scotland, where he found the community he was searching for.
After leaving his temporary home in Scotland, Eugene moved on to England, picking up many different jobs. Boxing is what eventually led Eugene to France, where he fell in love with the sense of family he experienced from the community, even going as far as to claim it as his destiny. Given his deep respect and admiration for the French lifestyle and politics at 19 years old, Eugene decided to join the French Foreign Legion to fight against Germany in World War I. A battle wound would led Eugene to meet a French air service officer who promised to help Eugene become an aircraft gunner. After this accomplishment, Eugene went on to receive his pilot’s license under the guidance of the Lafayette Escadrille, a squad of American fighter pilots flying under the French.
Eugene’s career was cut short after applying to and being denied from the Escadrille squad, and later being ordered out of aviation into a non-combat position by the French military. There were many speculations as to why he was ordered out, including rumors that he assaulted a French military officer, but other claims proposed racism as the key factor to his eventual relocation. After bravely volunteering to serve France once more during World War II, Eugene was injured and spent the rest of his life in New York.
Eugene has received many awards for his bravery within the military, including the Allied Victory medal and the Commemorative War Medal. Eugene continued on as a role model for love and dedication through his journey of finding a community and his extensive time fighting for his adopted country.