Lyman Hubbard Sr. (1927-2012) was a career U.S. Air Force pilot and the only Springfieldian to be a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, the famed all-black World War II air squadron.
Hubbard, who flew B-25 bombers during World War II, returned to active duty during the Korean War and stayed in the Air force thereafter. He became a command pilot with nearly 7,000 hours of flying time, including combat tours during the Vietnam War. His service honors included the Bronze Star, Air Medal with oak leaf clusters and Vietnamese Honor Medal.
Hubbard, who had been an honor student, Eagle Scout and star athlete at Feitshans High School before entering the military, returned to the family farm near Riverton after his retirement in 1970. Among other activities, he became involved in efforts to save the Lincoln Colored Home, one of the first institutions in the U.S. for African American orphans. Hubbard purchased the home in 2005.
Following his death, U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin of Springfield honored Hubbard in remarks to the Senate, and plans were announced to install a memorial to Hubbard at Abraham Lincoln Capital Airport.
Hubbard is buried at Camp Butler National Cemetery.
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His Find A Grave entry:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/83588482/lyman-larue-hubbard
I am 70 years old now I remember when I was just a little boy in 63 I used to wave at him from my driveway. I could not cross the road or I would get a spanking, but I would always wave and he would wave back when we lived on the outskirts of Riverton,, since that time I spent 33 years as an underground coal Miner and 25 years as a toy inventor,, this is crazy,,,, I contacted Hasbro to company back in 1991′,,, and told them they need to make G.I. Joe doll that would represent the Tuskegee airman,, and they did,,, I just now found out that Mr. Hubbard, who I used to wave to when I was a little boy was a Tuskegee airmen,, and today one of my best friends two star Major General John Phillips is my best friend for over 23 years,, life is funny,, and precious God bless the hover family,, Kim Allen Richno,,