BY CECILY CUMMINGS
Gulfport resident Thomas E. Simmons has devoted many years to uncovering the true story of Gulfport native and pioneering war aviator Col. John C. Robinson.
Robinson, who was nicknamed the Brown Condor, played a pivotal role in defending Ethiopia during the Italo-Ethiopian War of 1935.
In late March, at the request of former Ethiopian president Girma Wolde Giorgis and Frederick Yaw Davis, director of the Pan African Technical Association, Simmons traveled to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to speak at the American Embassy at the 60th memorial celebration for Robinson.
He also spoke at a luncheon at Giorgis’ home and at St. Joseph’s Academy for Boys.
Simmons flew on Ethiopian Air Lines, which was founded in 1945 by Robinson. During the Italian invasion, Robinson was commander of the Imperial Ethiopian Air Corps.
At his speaking engagements, Simmons met former pilots, many of whom were in their 90s, who served under Robinson.
Read more at the Sun Herald.
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