sep 9, 1933 - Ed Dwight, Jr.

Description:

Ed Dwight, Jr. was born in Kansas City, Kansas, in 1933. He was the first African American male to graduate from Bishop Ward High School. Dwight became an airman in the United States Airforce in 1953. He later received his aeronautical engineering B.S. Degree at Arizona State University. By 1961, Dwight was a captain in the Air Force. His professionalism and flight skills made Dwight the top candidate nominated as the first African American astronaut trainee for NASA. In 1966, Dwight resigned from the Air Force, later becoming a well-known black history sculptor and author.