City to Unveil Interpretive Plaque Dedicated to Plainfield's Tuskegee Airmen at City Hall

The City of Plainfield will unveil an interpretive plaque honoring six Plainfield-born Tuskegee Airmen at a ceremony on Saturday, November 7, at 11 a.m. at the Plainfield Veterans Memorial outside City Hall, according to a TAPinto Plainfield report. Union County Life is sharing the details for residents who want to attend.

The plaque honors six men who were among the first graduates of the United States Corps Civilian Pilot Training Program and served during World War II. Five served as bomber pilots: 2nd Lt. Samuel Albert Black, Jr., 2nd Lt. Russell W. Carpenter, Jr., 2nd Lt. Warren E. Henry, 2nd Lt. Charles E. Miller, and 1st Lt. Lloyd R. Shults. Corporal Calvin H. Hall served on the ground operational support crew.

Plainfield historian Ethel Washington researched and wrote the plaque’s biographies. In March 2007, President George W. Bush awarded the Tuskegee Airmen the Congressional Gold Medal collectively.

The Division of Parks and Recreation is hosting the reception and ceremony. The report notes that some recognize November 7 as Black Veterans Day. It traces the date’s origin to November 7, 1775, when the British Army offered emancipation to enslaved people who served the British during the American Revolution.

Special guests include Past State Commander Dan Channel of The American Legion Department of New Jersey, who will speak about the importance of the men being honored. Commander Cornell J. Hawkins, Jr., of American Legion Post 219 will attend, along with members of the Tuskegee Airmen Motorcycle Club-Newark, New Jersey Chapter, representatives of the airmen’s families, and elected officials.

The plaque will be Plainfield’s third interpretive plaque. The city unveiled one for Milt Campbell in October 2023 at the park named for him, and another for Inez Durham in May 2025 at Milt Campbell Field. Parks and Recreation Superintendent Veronica Taylor said, “When we honor our heroes, we are demonstrating to future generations the importance of acknowledging and preserving our past.”

The event is free and open to the public.

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FAQ

When and where is the Plainfield Tuskegee Airmen plaque unveiling?
The ceremony is Saturday, November 7, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the Plainfield Veterans Memorial outside City Hall. It is free and open to the public.

Who is being honored?
The plaque honors six Plainfield-born Tuskegee Airmen who were among the first graduates of the Civilian Pilot Training Program and served in World War II. Five were bomber pilots, and one served on a ground operational support crew.

Who wrote the plaque?
Plainfield historian Ethel Washington researched and wrote the plaque’s biographies.