Palmer Sullins

What nine-year-old learns to fly with Chief Charles Anderson, the lead instructor for the Tuskegee Airmen, and not long afterward is called into service to teach adults to swim?  Palmer, obviously a child prodigy, was the son of prominent Tuskegee Civil Rights activists Della and Palmer Sullins, Sr.  Mrs. Sullins served as the first secretary to the Tuskegee Civic Association.

Palmer’s parents and sister were also plaintiffs in the Lee v Board of Education case. His sister, Marsha Sullins at the time, was one of the 12 students who integrated Alabama schools.  Palmer writes about how the educational and social milieu created by the University provided incredible opportunities for him and others to excel in the alternative universe, in spite of the existence of Jim Crow.

While a student at Tuskegee University, Palmer became a commissioned officer through Tuskegee’s Reserved Officer Training Corps (ROTC).

Palmer had a distinguished military career, garnering numerous awards, including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, 13 Air medals, 4 Army commendation medals, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Armed forces Service Medal, Army Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, and seven Louisiana State ribbons.

Palmer retired a colonel. He still loves to fly, flying his plane mostly on short junkets between Tuskegee and Louisiana.