Celebrating Black Virgin Islanders: Henry E. Rohslen

Henry E. Rohslen airport which is currently owned by Virgin Islands Port Authority, was named after the first fighter pilot in the 99th Squadron of the U.S. Air Corps, from St. John Virgin Islands, Henry Ernst Rohslen. Henry was the Chairman and President of the National Airlines of Ecuador. He served 2 terms as a senator in the Virgin Islands Legislator, and he was an entrepreneur and a St. Croix Administrator. There was another major player we would like to add and that's Mr. Herbert Heywood. Both Rohslen and Heywood fought against prejudice and injustice while serving as Tuskegee Airmen. Henry E. Rohslen and Herbert Heywood were recruited from St. Croix, Virgin Islands to the Tuskegee Pilot Training Program where they graduated from the Tuskegee Flight School. That time may not have been the easiest time to be both black and a member of the armed forces but they persevered. After their honorable discharges they both returned home and contributed to their communities in ways such as serving as senators, and volunteered in their community until they were laid to rest.

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Written By: Minoca A.

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