
Dr. Brown’s experience as one our country’s first black military pilots – and those of his fellow Tuskegee Airmen – have been largely left out of the history books. We need his narrative to shed a brighter light on what these men and women endured to serve their country. His entire life’s story serves to inspire people of all ages and creeds, leaving you with the courage to face your own obstacles with tenacity and perseverance.
What are people saying about the book
A very valuable addition to the available literature on the Tuskegee Airmen from a first-person point of view.
Brown describes in compelling, firsthand detail what it was like to be a Tuskegee Airman, why at least one young African American man wanted to participate in the historical experience in the first place, and what difference it made in the arc of his life. Brown’s personality is evident on the page and his voice is absorbing.”
This is an honest, revealing, and interesting memoir. Colonel Brown’s role as World War II combat fighter, his dual careers as an Air Force fighter and bomber pilot, and his 47 years as an educator are indicative of his life of service to his country and his devotion to inspiring young students. Readers will love the man, and the story of his remarkable life.
Dr. Brown’s experience as one our country’s first black military pilots – and those of his fellow Tuskegee Airmen – have been largely left out of the history books. We need his narrative to shed a brighter light on what these men and women endured to serve their country. His entire life’s story serves to inspire people of all ages and creeds, leaving you with the courage to face your own obstacles with tenacity and perseverance.
As a former U.S. Air Force pilot, and retired Colonel in the Air Force Reserve, I especially enjoy reading military history and military biographies, especially those involving military aviation. Among the dozens and dozens of such books I’ve read, few have provided more personal enjoyment than “Keep Your Airspeed Up”. Thank you for sharing your experiences with us. I thoroughly enjoyed your book. It will be among those I keep in my personal library forever.
Letter of Invitation to Become an Eagle
Dr. Harold Brown is invited to the 38th annual Gathering of Eagles (GOE) program occurring May 24-26, 2021 at Air University in historic Montgomery, Alabama. He will be honored as a 2021 Eagle for his notable contribution to our aerospace heritage.
Sign Up for Updates on Events and News
Learn More About The Book KEEP YOUR AIRSPEED UP…
the story of a Tuskegee Airman
Many Americans know little of the Tuskegee Airmen, the small group of black pilots and support staff who fought for the right to fly in World War II and whose success played a significant role in the integration of the military. Brown was one of the 992 original Tuskegee pilots. He is likely the last of his group to record his story.
Meet Tuskegee Airman Dr. Harold Brown…
Minneapolis native and North High School graduate Dr. Harold Brown is an original Tuskegee Airman who flew with the famed 332nd Fighter Group in World War II, our country’s first African American military pilots. He graduated from the Tuskegee Institute’s segregated pilot training program and was commissioned as an officer in the then U.S. Army Air Corps in 1944. During his time in combat, Dr. Brown completed missions strafing targets on the ground and protecting bombers in the air. On his 30th mission, he was shot down over enemy territory, bailing out of his badly damaged P-51 and being taken as a prisoner of war.
Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Harold Brown passed away on January 12, 2023, but he will long be remembered for his role as one of the first African-American aviators in the U.S. armed forces. Dr. Brown and the other Tuskegee Airmen, through their superlative service during World War II, paved the way for desegregation of the military. In 2007 they were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in Washington, D.C. To keep the story of the Tuskegee Airmen alive for the next generation, Harold and his wife, Marsha Bordner, published Keep Your Airspeed Up: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman, in 2017. View Full Celebartion of Life Ceremony video here.