Bill would rename a portion of US-127 after Jackson Tuskegee Airman
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) — A in the Michigan House of Representatives would rename a section of highway in Jackson County after a missing Tuskegee Airman who grew up in the city of Jackson.
Under the proposed bill, the section of U.S.-127 between mile markers 39 and 40 near the I-94 interchange would be named after 2nd. Lieutenant Roosevelt Stiger, a Tuskegee Airman and Purple Heart recipient who remains unaccounted for.
'It is a real privilege to advocate on behalf of a true American hero,' said State Rep. Kathy Schmaltz, who represents Jackson County and introduced the bill. '2nd Lt. Stiger served our country with courage, broke barriers, and gave his life fighting for freedom. This memorial is a small but meaningful way we can ensure his legacy lives on in the community he once called home.'
Schmaltz says Stiger was born in Tennessee in 1919 and moved to Jackson with his family during his childhood. He trained as a pilot through the Tuskegee Aviation Cadet program. He graduated in 1944 and was the 99th Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group of the U.S. Army Air Forces.
According to the , on Oct. 7, 1944, Stiger was piloting one of 68 fighters on a bomber escort mission over the Adriatic Sea. Around 10 minutes before reaching land, Stiger reported his oxygen was low, and he and his flight leader flew down to a lower altitude, almost colliding due to low visibility.
When Stiger appeared to be heading into the water, his flight lead ordered him to pull up. Within seconds of the two planes becoming level with each other, Stiger's plane went into a steep dive and crashed into the water.
After the crash, the flight leader attempted to radio Stiger while circling the crash location, but could not contact him. He was not recovered, and remains unaccounted for, memorialized on the Walls of the Missing at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy.
Schmaltz says the road dedication proposal has seen strong local support, and specifically credited student researchers from the Heritage Center at Jackson College for bringing attention to Stiger's story.
'These students have shown remarkable initiative and respect for our shared history,' Schmaltz said. 'Their work has helped shine a light on a Jackson native who made the ultimate sacrifice. It's because of their efforts that this legislation has taken shape, and I'm incredibly grateful.'
HB-4145 was approved by committee and has advanced to the full House for consideration.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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