Age, Biography and Wiki

Joseph Elsberry (Joseph Dubois Elsberry) was born on 25 April, 1921 in Langston, Oklahoma, US, is an American fighter pilot (1921–1985). Discover Joseph Elsberry's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 64 years old?

Popular As Joseph Dubois Elsberry
Occupation Military officer · fighter pilot
Age 64 years old
Zodiac Sign Taurus
Born 25 April, 1921
Birthday 25 April
Birthplace Langston, Oklahoma, US
Date of death 1985
Died Place Los Angeles, California, US
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 25 April. He is a member of famous fighter with the age 64 years old group.

Joseph Elsberry Height, Weight & Measurements

At 64 years old, Joseph Elsberry height not available right now. We will update Joseph Elsberry's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

Physical Status
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Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

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Joseph Elsberry Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is Joseph Elsberry worth at the age of 64 years old? Joseph Elsberry’s income source is mostly from being a successful fighter. He is from United States. We have estimated Joseph Elsberry's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
House Not Available
Cars Not Available
Source of Income fighter

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Timeline

1890

Elsberry was the youngest child and only son of Joseph Dean Elsberry (1890–1930), a school teacher and civic leader, and Beulah Earle Meeks Elsberry (1894–1969), a school teacher.

1916

He was the younger brother of Beulah O'Dyne Elsberry Irons (1916–1984), an accomplished pianist and organist, and finish tailor.

Prior to joining the military, Elsberry attended Langston University for three years.

Elsberry is considered Langston's most famous resident for his heroics in World War II.

1921

Joseph D. Elsberry (April 25, 1921 – March 31, 1985) was a U.S. Army Air Force officer and a prolific African-American World War II fighter pilot in the 332nd Fighter Group's 301st Fighter Squadron, best known as the famed Tuskegee Airmen, "Red Tails," or “Schwartze Vogelmenschen” ("Black Birdmen") among enemy German pilots.

1930

As a Captain, Elsberry led the 301st Fighter Squadron.

1933

As a member of the all-African American 332nd Fighter Group, Elsberry would be considered one of the greatest, most fearless fighter pilots to have graduated from the Tuskegee Army Flying School.

A prolific member of the Tuskegee Airmen, Elsberry was one of only nine 332nd Fighter Group pilots with at least three confirmed kills during World War II:

He is only one of four Tuskegee Airmen to have earned three aerial victories in a single day of combat: Clarence Lester, Lee Archer and Harry Stewart.

1939

Some of the way was paved by U.S. Congress' April 3, 1939 Appropriations Bill Public Law 18 which designated funds to train African-American pilots at civilian flight schools.

1941

This program, initiated in June 1941, began at Tuskegee, Alabama at the Tuskegee Army Airfield near Tuskegee Institute (now Tuskegee University).

1942

Elsberry enlisted in the US Army in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on 19 Feb 1942, receiving Army Serial Number 18086103

Prior to 1942, African Americans were not permitted to become fighter pilots because of rampant racial discrimination in the U.S. armed services.

As the United States ramped up its involvement in World War II, the U.S. military experienced a severe shortage of skilled, experienced pilots.

African American newspapers and civil rights leaders including the NAACP's Walter White, Judge William H. Hastie, and Pullman Porter union leader A. Philip Randolph pleaded with President Franklin Roosevelt to include African American in aeronautics and the United States Army Air Corps, the U.S. Army Corps.

In response, the U.S. military created an 'experimental' aviator training program for African Americans.

Elsberry became one of the most famous graduates of Tuskegee Army Flying School, graduating with Class 42-H-SE on September 6, 1942.

1944

Elsberry destroyed three enemy aircraft over France in a single mission on July 12, 1944, and a fourth aircraft in July 20, 1944, becoming the first African American fighter pilot in history to do so.

He is only one of four Tuskegee Airmen to have earned three aerial victories in a single day of combat: Clarence Lester, Lee Archer (pilot), and Harry Stewart.

On September 10, 1944, Brigadier General Benjamin Davis Sr., the first African American to receive the rank of General and the father of Tuskegee Airmen commander Benjamin O. Davis Jr., awarded Elsberry the prestigious Distinguished Flying Cross.

Elsberry received this award for single acts of heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flights on July 12, 1944 and July 20, 1944.

On 23 June 1944, Elsberry and his squadron of P-51 “Mustang” long-range, single-seat fighters sank a German destroyer in Italy's Trieste Harbor employing exclusively 50-caliber machine guns.

Though the German military denied destruction of its destroyer at the hands of US fighter pilots, film confirmed the successful attack.

On 12 July 1944, Elsberry, while escorting bombers with his squadron in southern Italy, shot down three German Focke-Wulf Fw 190s in a single day.

On 20 July 1944, Elsberry destroyed an enemy Messerschmitt 109 aircraft on his accomplishments were tantamount to those of an “ace” fighter pilot.

His 4 kills came very close to meeting the designation for an ace.

Elsberry joined fellow Tuskegee Airmen Edward L. Toppins and Lee Archer to each destroy four enemy aircraft.

1962

Elsberry was one of the first African-American military aviators in the United States Army Air Corps, the United States Army Air Forces and later the U.S. Air Force, eventually earning the rank of Major before retiring in 1962.

Elsberry was one of three Tuskegee Airmen to have come close to achieving the US Military's designation of flying ace.

Elsberry, Lee Archer and Edward L. Toppins each destroyed four enemy aircraft during missions in Europe.

None of these Tuskegee Airmen ever received a fifth “kill” which would have placed them in the “ace” category.

However, despite some contention, Lee Archer is considered by some as the first and only African American U.S. pilot in World War II to earn an "ace" designation.

Elsberry retired in 1962 with the rank of Major.

After returning to Oklahoma, Elsberry relocated to San Francisco in 1962, working for Western Electric Company until his final retirement in 1977.

1985

On 31 March 1985, Elsberry had a heart attack and died in his San Francisco, California apartment.

He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery in Section 42, Grave 2804.

2015

Several major military leaders attended the ceremony including Ira C. Eaker, Commanding General of the Mediterranean Allied Air Forces, Nathan F. Twining, Commanding General of the 15th Air Force, and Dean C. Strother, Commanding General of the 306th Fighter Wing of the 15th Air Force.

Born Joseph Dubois Elsberry in Langston, Oklahoma.