Ralph Orduna of the Tuskeegee Airmen

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Ralph Orduna was born in Omaha and went to Westside Elementary and South High School. He began working at the Martin Bomber Plant sometime after it opened near Omaha in the Spring of 1941, and became the youngest supervisor at the plant. During World War II, he enlisted in the US Army Air Corps and became a fighter pilot as one of the "Tuskeegee Airmen," the popular name for the African-American pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group in the Army Air Corps. As a member of the Tuskeegee Airmen, Mr. Orduna flew multiple recon and bomber escort missions over enemy territory. He was a member of the first all-black fighter pilot group in the 301 Fighter Squadron of the 15th Air Force's 332 Fighter Group. Following his military service, he studied for a commercial pilot’s license under the GI Bill, but was unable to gain employment, as airlines were not hiring black pilots at the time. Ralph Orduna passed away on May 27, 2003.

This collection was brought to us by Philip Orduna Reis, the son of Ralph Orduna. Phillip is active in the local chapter for Tuskeegee Airmen, and attends national conferences that seek to curate the history of the group. The Omaha chapter is named after Alfonza W. Davis, an Omaha Tech graduate who went on to be a squadron leader as a Tuskeegee Airmen, and was killed in action near the end of the war. This collection was donated at the 2011 North Omaha History Harvest.

Source

Ralph Orduna of the Tuskeegee Airmen, North Omaha History Harvest, 2011

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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Ralph Orduna Military Portrait

A portrait of fighter pilot Ralph Orduna in uniform. Ralph Orduna was a fighter pilot in World War 2. He earned the rank of 2nd Lieutenant and was part of the "Tuskeegee Airmen". He was part of the 301 Fighter Squadron of the 15th Air Force's 332 Fighter Group which was the first all-black combat fighter group.

For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube Channel.

Tags Air Force, Military, North Omaha History Harvest 2011, Ralph Orduna of the Tuskeegee Airmen Collection, Tuskeegee Airmen, World War II
Ralph Orduna Interviewed by Journalist

This photo shows Ralph Orduna being interviewed by a television journalist in Chicago at Midway Airport in 1981. Behind them is a P-51 Mustang fighter jet, the same kind of aircraft Orduna flew in combat during World War II. Mr. Orduna’s son Philip shared several news articles focused on his time as a Tuskeegee Airman.

For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube Channel.

Tags Air Force, Military, North Omaha History Harvest 2011, Ralph Orduna of the Tuskeegee Airmen Collection, Tuskeegee Airmen, World War II
Ralph Orduna Given His Wings

This photo shows Ralph Orduna receiving his wings, signifying his completion of flight school. He is pictured here with his sister, Maria, who is pinning his wings, and his father, Enrique. Orduna was part of the 301 Fighter Squadron of the 15th Air Force's 332 Fighter Group which was the first all-black combat fighter group.

For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube Channel.

Tags Air Force, Military, military medal, North Omaha History Harvest 2011, Ralph Orduna of the Tuskeegee Airmen Collection, Tuskeegee Airmen, World War II
Ralph Orduna and Colleagues at the Martin Bomber Plant

This is a photo of Ralph Orduna (middle) at Martin Bomber Plant with fellow employees. Mr. Orduna went on to become a supervisor at the plant before enlisting in the US Army Air Corps. Martin Bomber Plant, which opened 1942, produced B-26 and B-29 bombers for the war effort. The plant was built southeast of Omaha, NE at Offut Air Field, which is now known as Offut Air Force Base.
For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube Channel.

Tags Air Force, defense industry, Martin Bomber Plant, Military, North Omaha History Harvest 2011, Ralph Orduna of the Tuskeegee Airmen Collection, Tuskeegee Airmen, World War II
Ralph Orduna in Training Plane with Colleagues

This photo shows fighter pilot Ralph Orduna in the cockpit of a training aircraft surrounded by other members of the 332 Fighter Group. Mr. Orduna’s son Philip informs us that he trained other pilots after earning his wings.

Orduna was a 2nd Lieutenant pilot during World War 2 as one of the "Tuskeegee Airmen". He was part of the 301 Fighter Squadron of the 15th Air Force's 332 Fighter Group which was the first all-black combat fighter group.
For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube Channel.

Tags Air Force, Military, North Omaha History Harvest 2011, Pilot, Ralph Orduna of the Tuskeegee Airmen Collection, Tuskeegee Airmen, World War II
Tuskeegee Airmen Congressional Gold Medal

This Congressional Gold Medal was presented to Ralph Orduna’s family by Congressman Lee Terry in 2006. The medals were awarded to all members of the Tuskeegee Airmen by the United States Congress, and issued by the United States Mint. The medallion shows three airmen: an officer, a mechanic, and a pilot. On the back are three planes: a P-40, P-51, and B-25, all planes flown by the Tuskeegee Airmen.

For interviews and oral histories of this and other items please visit the History Harvest YouTube Channel.

Tags Air Force, Congressional Gold Medal, Military, North Omaha History Harvest 2011, Ralph Orduna of the Tuskeegee Airmen Collection, Tuskeegee Airmen, World War II
Philip Orduna Reis Discusses the Tuskeegee Airmen

Ralph Orduna’s son, Philip Orduna Reis, discussed his father’s life and displayed some artifacts from his time at the Martin Bomber Plant and his service in the US Army Air Corps as a Tuskeegee Airman.

You can find this and other stories on the History Harvest YouTube Channel.

Tags Air Force, interview, Military, North Omaha History Harvest 2011, Pilot, Ralph Orduna of the Tuskeegee Airmen Collection, Tuskeegee Airmen, World War II