GARY – Gary Mayor Karen Freeman-Wilson joined the board of directors of The Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority has dedicated the new $11.6 million Airport Road overpass in honor of World War II Tuskegee Airman Quentin P. Smith, long-time Gary leader, educator and recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal.
The Quentin P. Smith Tuskegee Airman Memorial Bridge marks a significant milestone in the airport’s $166 million expansion project scheduled to be completed this year and is emblematic of the commitment of city and regional leaders to develop the airport as Chicago’s third airport.
“In war and in peace, Quentin P. Smith was a hero; he bravely defended our nation, stood up against segregation, and throughout his stellar career he unselfishly served the community as a civic leader, educator and mentor,” said Freeman-Wilson.
Freeman-Wilson thanked leaders of the City of Gary, the Airport Authority, Lake County, Indiana and the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority (RDA) for their leadership in making the Quentin P. Smith Tuskegee Airman Memorial Bridge a reality.
The Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority funded construction of the $11.6 million overpass.
Smith was a B-25 bombardier with the legendary black World War II Tuskegee Airman Army Air Corps. 1st Lieutenant Smith and 100 black officers were arrested at Freeman Field in Seymour, Ind., for defying orders not to enter the officer’s club. After his military career, Smith went on to become the first principal of West Side High School in Gary. Smith was born in Weldon, Texas on July 30, 1918, and died Jan. 24 at the age of 94.
