23-05-2025
Graveside ceremony commemorates life of local Tuskegee Airman
JOPLIN, Mo. — Lead by the Joplin Civil Air Patrol, the community honored the late Dr. Harold Brazil.
'Dr. Brazil was born in Arkansas but he spent a lot of his childhood here,' said Jasper County Cemetery Preservation Society President, Rikki Smith.
Dr. Brazil was a graduate of Joplin's Lincoln High School and served in World War II as a Tuskegee Airman — the first all-black fighter squadron to fight in the war.
'Tuskegee Airmen were very important in the work that they did, and they were some elite performance kind of individuals,' said Smith.
'They were support to the heavy bombers and they were fighter pilots. So, just to have them being recognized and being a part of an effort that brought freedom to all,' said Joplin NAACP Vice President, William Kean.
There were roughly 1,0000 documented Tuskegee Airmen — 19 of those from Missouri. Brazil was one of two men in that unit from Joplin.
'There's a lot still to discover about his service. We do know that he was a twin engine pilot. He was certified at Tuskegee Institute,' said Smith.
After the war, Dr. Brazil continued his military career before retiring in 1970.
He passed away in 2007 and is buried in a family plot at Parkway Cemetery in Joplin.
'This is just a way for us to say his name and honor his service and his life and let people know that people from Joplin go do great things,' said Smith.
Those who attended said they came to show their gratitude and make a promise.
'We have to keep their memory alive and remember that they are the ones who served us and it's our turn to serve them,' said Joplin Civil Air Patrol Cadet Commander, Faith Godsell.
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