Leroy “Buster” Criss Neighborhood Treasure Monument dedicated on August 7, 2021, 200 E Maple Ave, Monrovia, corner of Ivy Ave. (click photo to go to the City of Monrovia's coverage of this event) By Oliver Beckwith
MHM Board Member
In 2021, the City of Monrovia honored Leroy Criss (1925-2008), one of its home-grown citizens, with a Neighborhood Treasure Monument. Since 2018, the city had been honoring people of Monrovia’s past who made a difference, and Leroy Criss was the fifth person to receive the honor. Criss is known for being one of the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II, but his lifetime achievements go well beyond his military service. In order to understand the nature of his accomplishments, a study into his life must include a consideration of American society during his lifetime.
Born in 1925, Leroy Criss grew up in Monrovia, and like many kids of his generation, he dreamed of flying. He lived on Maple Street, not far from the Monrovia Airport, and he could see and hear the planes flying. Leroy attended the segregated Huntington Elementary School, located just North of Huntington Drive on Canyon Boulevard, where Black, Latino, and Asian students from the area were assigned.
MHM Board Member
In 2021, the City of Monrovia honored Leroy Criss (1925-2008), one of its home-grown citizens, with a Neighborhood Treasure Monument. Since 2018, the city had been honoring people of Monrovia’s past who made a difference, and Leroy Criss was the fifth person to receive the honor. Criss is known for being one of the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II, but his lifetime achievements go well beyond his military service. In order to understand the nature of his accomplishments, a study into his life must include a consideration of American society during his lifetime.
Born in 1925, Leroy Criss grew up in Monrovia, and like many kids of his generation, he dreamed of flying. He lived on Maple Street, not far from the Monrovia Airport, and he could see and hear the planes flying. Leroy attended the segregated Huntington Elementary School, located just North of Huntington Drive on Canyon Boulevard, where Black, Latino, and Asian students from the area were assigned.
MAD/Monrovia-Arcadia-Duarte High School 1943 Senior Class; Leroy Criss is pictured in the back row, middle. Educational funding and support for Huntington School was lower than it was for the rest of Monrovia’s schools. Secondary grades in Monrovia schools were integrated, so students from the underfunded Huntington School were therefore less prepared for the academic rigor of those schools. For African Americans the system made success hard to achieve, so many students dropped out before graduating.
Leroy Criss attended Huntington School after the 1933 earthquake, when students there were taught in a damaged building. At first students had to go to classes there, but after some parent protests a judge ordered the school to be closed, and students had to be integrated into other schools. Repairs to Huntington School were completed in 1937 and elementary schools in Monrovia were resegregated.
Leroy Criss attended Huntington School after the 1933 earthquake, when students there were taught in a damaged building. At first students had to go to classes there, but after some parent protests a judge ordered the school to be closed, and students had to be integrated into other schools. Repairs to Huntington School were completed in 1937 and elementary schools in Monrovia were resegregated.
MAD/Monrovia-Arcadia-Duarte Varsity Football Squad, 1943. Leroy Criss is in the front row, last on the right. In spite of the obstacles, Leroy Criss did well in school. He was Co-Captain of the football team at Monrovia-Arcadia-Duarte High School. He took flying lessons at Monrovia Airport, and in December of 1943 he entered the military. After Basic Training, he volunteered for and was assigned to be an air cadet at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. In flight school he received training in different aircraft, like the L-4 Piper Cub and the Stearman PT-17, before receiving advanced training.
War Bonds Poster “Keep us flying!” - World War II. Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. In 2012 20th Century Fox Studios released a movie titled “Red Tails,” about the exploits of the Tuskegee Airmen, and interest in the group increased. The movie told the story of the brave aviators flying P-51 Mustangs into combat, escorting heavy bombers safely over their targets in Europe. That was the story of the 332nd Fighter Group.
While many Tuskegee pilots were trained for service as fighter pilots, others trained in the 477th Bombardment Group. Leroy Criss was trained in the 477th as a light bomber pilot in the North American B-25. Medium range light bombers with twin engines were used as tactical support for troops, and long range heavy bombers, like the B-17’s, were used on long range missions.
Leroy Criss completed his training and earned his wings on April 15, 1945. He was now a pilot in The U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF). It was a big feat to be a Tuskegee Airman. Mistakes made by pilots at any level could result in being “washed out” and rejected from the pilot training program. The baseline training standards for the group were the same for everyone in the USAAF, but the Tuskegee cadets sometimes faced unsupportive training staff and harsh evaluations. Lieutenant Criss was one of only 992 African American pilots in the USAAF to earn his wings.
While many Tuskegee pilots were trained for service as fighter pilots, others trained in the 477th Bombardment Group. Leroy Criss was trained in the 477th as a light bomber pilot in the North American B-25. Medium range light bombers with twin engines were used as tactical support for troops, and long range heavy bombers, like the B-17’s, were used on long range missions.
Leroy Criss completed his training and earned his wings on April 15, 1945. He was now a pilot in The U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF). It was a big feat to be a Tuskegee Airman. Mistakes made by pilots at any level could result in being “washed out” and rejected from the pilot training program. The baseline training standards for the group were the same for everyone in the USAAF, but the Tuskegee cadets sometimes faced unsupportive training staff and harsh evaluations. Lieutenant Criss was one of only 992 African American pilots in the USAAF to earn his wings.
Airman Leroy Criss in World War II Lieutenant Criss was sent to Freeman Army Airfield in Indiana and the 477th was to be deployed on July 1st. There had been race-related incidents there in early April. The base commander at Freeman Airfield had created a segregated officer club, which was in violation of Army regulations. When some Black officers challenged that, there were more than 100 arrests, and three of those officers faced a Court Marshal. In the end one officer, 2nd Lieutenant Roger Terry, was fined and received a dishonorable discharge. The rest of those arrested had an administrative reprimand put in their files. In 1995 the Air Force pardoned Terry and removed the reprimands on the rest of the officers. Leroy Criss was not among that group, having been sent to the base about two weeks after the incidents.
Leroy Criss was now ready to be deployed overseas as a B-25 pilot. However, less than a month after he earned his wings the war in Europe ended, and by August 15th Japan had surrendered. The 477th Bomber group was never deployed overseas. Criss left the military in 1946 with a rank of 2nd Lieutenant.
After returning home Criss enrolled at Los Angeles City College and then attended UC Santa Barbara with a football scholarship. He picked up a degree from there and later attended post graduate classes at USC. For a time he worked as a machinist and a flight instructor, then he went to work as an educator.
Leroy Criss was now ready to be deployed overseas as a B-25 pilot. However, less than a month after he earned his wings the war in Europe ended, and by August 15th Japan had surrendered. The 477th Bomber group was never deployed overseas. Criss left the military in 1946 with a rank of 2nd Lieutenant.
After returning home Criss enrolled at Los Angeles City College and then attended UC Santa Barbara with a football scholarship. He picked up a degree from there and later attended post graduate classes at USC. For a time he worked as a machinist and a flight instructor, then he went to work as an educator.
Leroy Criss and wife Helen Butler Criss, co-founders of Outward Bound Adventures, Inc. Established in 1962 In 1947 he married Helen Butler, and together the couple raised three children. Leroy worked out of Los Angeles Unified School District, and Helen was a counselor at Muir High School in Pasadena. In 1962 they became involved with a program that would become Outward Bound Adventures, Incorporated (OBA). Leroy became a Co-Director of OBA and took at-risk Black youths on mountaineering expeditions. Helen helped group members with family issues and academic support.
For Leroy and Helen, this endeavor went on for 30 years. At the museum I have heard stories from some of Leroy and Helen’s students who were positively impacted by their leadership. Program members were taught a number of things including mountaineering, environmental education, leadership, and teamwork. He took his students on trips to the top of Mount Whitney, the Mojave Desert, and to Catalina Island. Outward Bound Adventures Inc. is still a thriving group today, allowing underprivileged students an opportunity to engage with nature, and giving at-risk young people a better chance to become successful individuals.
Leroy Criss led a remarkable life, first in service to his country as a pilot, and then as an educator, encouraging underprivileged youths. Take a walk over to the monument on Maple and Ivy, and remember a life well lived.
Sources and Additional Reading (links):
For Leroy and Helen, this endeavor went on for 30 years. At the museum I have heard stories from some of Leroy and Helen’s students who were positively impacted by their leadership. Program members were taught a number of things including mountaineering, environmental education, leadership, and teamwork. He took his students on trips to the top of Mount Whitney, the Mojave Desert, and to Catalina Island. Outward Bound Adventures Inc. is still a thriving group today, allowing underprivileged students an opportunity to engage with nature, and giving at-risk young people a better chance to become successful individuals.
Leroy Criss led a remarkable life, first in service to his country as a pilot, and then as an educator, encouraging underprivileged youths. Take a walk over to the monument on Maple and Ivy, and remember a life well lived.
Sources and Additional Reading (links):
- Tuskegee Airman LeRoy Criss Honored With Fifth Neighborhood Treasure. Monrovia Now, Brad Haugaard, August 2021.
- Conversations with Ralph Walker - Leroy Criss, YouTube video, 2019.
- Monrovia Changemakers: Stories | Leroy Criss
- Scrapbook of Tuskegee Airman Leroy Criss, San Diego Air and Space Museum Archives, 2012.
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