Tuskegee airmen historian shares stories with PRCC students

HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Students at the Pearl River Community College campus in Forrest County got to hear from a man who knew Tuskegee airmen.

And that man told their stories in his presentation.

Clinard Martin, artist and historian of the Tuskegee airmen said, "We don't talk enough about history, especially in this country for the simple fact a lot of it is distorted. And, I'm a firm believer that if I'm going to tell a story, I'm going to be truthful about it."

Martin left Los Angeles in 1972 and moved down South to meet Tuskegee airmen where he learned their stories.

"They're the greatest that ever flew. They had to be the greatest. They put so much of a demand on these guys. They had to have at least two years of college before their application would even be considered. They were picking the cream of the crop. And, history will show that they had the highest IQ of any guys that flew any airplanes in WWII," said Martin.

Students gave Martin a standing ovation for his presentation. And, all he wants for them is to become successful.

"You can't learn anything unless you get a little discipline. And, going to school opens up a door for you to actually apply yourself to what you need to do in order to be successful in this world," said Martin.