April 30, 1971 Dwight Hal Johnson, Medal of Honor recipient, died. Johnson was born May 7, 1947 in Detroit, Michigan. He was drafted into the United States Army in 1967 and in June, 1968 was serving in Company B, 1st Battalion, 69th Armor, 4th Infantry Division in the Republic of Vietnam. His citation partially reads: […]
Tag Archives | April 29
Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington – April 29th in African American History
April 29, 1899 Edward Kennedy “Duke” Ellington, composer, pianist and big band leader, was born in Washington, D. C. Ellington began taking piano lessons at the age of 7 and at 14 wrote his first composition, “Soda Fountain Rag.” At the age of 18, he formed his first group, The Duke’s Serenaders, who played throughout […]
Parren James Mitchell – April 29th in African American History
April 29, 1922 Parren James Mitchell, the first African American elected to Congress from Maryland, was born in Baltimore, Maryland. Mitchell served as an officer in the 92nd Infantry Division during World War II and earned the Purple Heart. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Morgan State University in 1950 and that year successfully sued […]