Ohio National Guard News

121st ARW honors Tuskegee Airman
at Rickenbacker track dedication

Story and photos by Airman 1st Class Tiffany A. Emery, 121st Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

The 121st Air Refueling Wing hosted a ceremony to dedicate Whitfield Track to Staff Sgt. Malvin Whitfield, a Tuskegee Airman and five-time Olympic medalist, Aug. 2, 2018, at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base in Columbus, Ohio. Whitfield, who won his first gold medal Aug. 2, 1948, at the London Olympic Games, was assigned to Lockbourne Air Force Base, currently Rickenbacker ANGB, after World War II.

Col. Mark Auer (right), 121st Air Refueling Wing commander, and Capt. Jenniffer Green, the wing sexual assault response coordinator, unveil a sign at Whitfield Track to honor Staff Sgt. Malvin Whitfield.

Donald Elder, a former crew chief with the Tuskegee Airmen at Lockbourne Air Force Base, takes a photo of a plaque to honor Staff Sgt. Malvin Whitfield.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (08/02/18) — The 121st Air Refueling Wing honored Staff Sgt. Malvin Whitfield, a Tuskegee Airman and five-time Olympic medalist, in a track dedication ceremony Aug. 2 at Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base.

The dedication of Whitfield Track fell on the 70th anniversary of Whitfield becoming the first active-duty service member to win an Olympic gold medal in the 800 meter run event on Aug. 2, 1948, at the London Summer Games.

During the ceremony there were three unveilings. First, there was a street sign unveiled, naming the street in front of the track as Whitfield Way. Second, there was a sign unveiled at the track that designated the track with the name Whitfield Track. Third, there was a plaque unveiled that dedicated the track in honor of Whitfield. On the plaque are two photos of Whitfield, a summary of his military and athletic career and a quote about him from former U.S. President Ronald Reagan.

Donald Elder, a former crew chief assigned to the Tuskegee Airmen at Lockbourne Air Force Base, now Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, was in attendance and along with Col. Mark Auer, the wing commander of the 121st ARW, unveiled the plaque that is at the track.

Elder, who knew “Mal” as he called him, said in reference to the ceremony: “It’s a great honor that he has earned and it’s well deserved.”

Whitfield became known as “Marvelous Mal” as a result of all his successes. He joined the U.S. Army Air Forces in 1943 as a Tuskegee Airman. After World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen were assigned to the 477th Composite Group at Lockbourne.

While at Lockbourne, he attended classes at The Ohio State University and ran on the track team. His first Olympic gold medal in the 800-meter event was earned in a then-Olympic record time of 1 minute, 49.2 seconds. He went on to win two more medals at the London Games (including another gold, in the 4x400 relay) and two additional medals at the Helsinki Games in 1952, including a repeat gold in the 800.

Whitfield was elected to the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame, the National Track and Field Hall of Fame and the United States Olympic Hall of Fame.

Maj. Jody Schweickart, the executive officer with the 121st ARW, organized the event.

“We are incredibly lucky that our base has an awesome history,” Schweickart said. “Through events like this one, we ensure that history is communicated and known to all Airmen, Soldiers, Sailors and Marines that serve within our perimeter, so they can know their heritage and be proud to serve here. Marvelous Mal was an inspiration in 1948, and his legacy will continue to inspire anyone who uses this track. We will see his face every lap we run and remember: through hard work and dedication, we can all triumph over adversity.”