Early Life and Military Service
Edsel Allen Jett was born on March 4, 1919, in Bastrop County, Texas to George and Eva Jett. He graduated from Blackshear High School in 1936. In January of 1941, at the age of 21, Edsel enlisted in the United States Army. He was sent to Fort Huachuca in Arizona to complete basic training.
Fort Huachuca
In 1877, the United States Army established Fort Huachuca as a military outpost to protect nearby settlers and travelers in the Southeast Arizona area. It became a permanent installation a few years later and continued on as an active post because of its proximity to the Mexican border, as well as its strategic placement on high ground.
For several decades, starting in the 1890s, thousands of Black troops serving in the United States Military were either sent for training at Fort Huachuca or stationed at the camp. It was home to the “Buffalo Soldiers,” the all-Black 9th and 10th Cavalry Regiments formed after the Civil War. When the U. S. Army led by Brigadier General John J. Pershing went into Mexico in 1916, the 10th Cavalry stationed at Huachuca took part in this expedition. During World War I, this regiment was also instrumental in guarding the Mexican border from a potential German threat.
During World War II, the 92nd and the 93rd Infantry Divisions were stationed at Fort Huachuca. Between 1941 and 1945, approximately 30,000 soldiers and personnel, including the all-Black units of 92nd and 93rd, were sent to Huachuca before shipping out overseas. In 1942, the Mountain View Black Officers Club was set up at the base and became the first official recreational center for Black officers to go during off-duty hours to dine, hear music, and enjoy other entertainment.
On March 3rd, 1941, shortly after arriving at Fort Huachuca, Edsel Jett was made Sergeant, and later that year was promoted to Staff Sergeant. His final promotion came in October of 1942 when Edsel was elevated to Technical Sergeant.
The 99th Fighter Squadron
While many of the details of Edsel’s military career remain unknown, his record shows that he was one of the Tuskegee Airmen that served with the 99th Fighter Squadron. Formerly known as the 99th Pursuit Squadron, this unit was the first all-Black fighter squadron in the U.S. Army Air Corps (later the U.S. Air Force).
The 99th was formed in 1941 and trained at the Tuskegee Army Air Field in Tuskegee, Alabama. Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., who eventually became the first Black general in the U.S. Air Force, Edsel and the rest of the 99th were deployed overseas in the spring of 1943. They were en route to North Africa when on July 27, 1943, Edsel Jett drowned attempting to save the life of another soldier. He was twenty-four years old.
During the war, the 99th was awarded two Presidential Unit Citations for tactical air support and aerial combat. In addition to seeing action in North Africa, this squadron also fought in the Mediterranean Theater. In 1944, the 99th and three other fighter squadrons joined forces and formed the 332nd Fighter Group. This unit distinguished itself repeatedly throughout World War II and is remembered today for their tenacity and skill.
