John W. Mosley Papers

Blair-Caldwell
African American Research Library
Denver Public Library
2005

Biographical Note | Scope and Content | Series | Container Listing

Biographical Note

John William Mosley, Jr. was born in Denver, Colorado on June 21, 1921. His father came to Colorado attracted by the Cripple Creek silver rush but settled his family in Denver. Mosley attended Whittier Elementary School, Cole Junior High School and Manual Training High School in Denver, Colorado. At Manual he was an honor student, class valedictorian, Merit Scholarship winner and lettered in wrestling and football. He obtained his undergraduate education at Colorado State College in Fort Collins, Colorado where he was the first African American to play football in the Big Seven Conference and to win a regional wrestling championship.

After graduation, Mosley was drafted into the U.S. Army Field Artillery unit despite the fact that he held a private pilot’s license and wished to be an Air Force pilot. Eventually he was transferred and enrolled in flight training at Tuskegee Army Air Force Base, an isolated U.S. Army Air Corps training complex for African Americans. Mosley achieved the rating of a Command Pilot. Under the command of Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., the Tuskegee Airmen fought in the aerial war over North Africa, Sicily and Europe. Mosley elected to return to civilian life in 1946, maintaining his commission as a 1 st Lieutenant in the Air Reserve.

Mosley received a Masters in Social Work from the University of Denver in 1948. He was employed as Boys’ Work Director for YMCAs in Denver, Colorado and Kansas City, Missouri until 1950, when he was recalled to active duty. Mosley served in a variety of staff and combat operational positions in Europe, Southeast Asia and the United States and obtained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Upon retirement from the Air Force in 1967, Mosley continued to serve his country with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services where he worked in a variety of positions including Equal Opportunity Specialist, Staff Director of the Mountain Plains Federal Regional Council and Special Assistant to James Farmer, Assistant Secretary of Administration.

Since retiring from the Federal Government, Mosley has remained active in professional and community organizations including the Cherry Creek Schools Foundation; Mile High United Way; Denver Sister Cities, International; Y.M.C.A.; and Goodwill Industries.

Mosley married his high school friend, Edna Wilson, in 1945. They have four children: Edna Lorette, John Gregory, Brian Wilson, and William Eric.

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Scope and Content

The collection contains papers that span the years 1927-2004. It includes report cards, diplomas, school yearbooks, correspondence, newspaper clippings, certificates, publications, reports, articles, scrapbooks and photographs. The material documents Mosley’s high school and college days and his career with the Tuskegee Airmen.

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SERIES 1 PERSONAL PAPERS 1927-2004 BOX 1

The series comprises resumes, report cards from junior high, Mosley’s high school commencement address and diploma, Colorado State College graduation announcement, Colorado State University alumni programs and awards and newspaper clippings. The series also includes a few items concerning Mosley’s wife, Edna, and the death of his father, John W. Mosley, Sr.

SERIES 2 TUSKEGEE AIRMEN 1945-2000 BOX 1

This series includes yearbooks, publications, reports and articles about the Tuskegee Airmen. Also included are programs from the Tuskegee Airmen national conventions. Also included is a travel bag commemorating Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. and The Organization of Black Airline Pilots, Inc.

SERIES 3 SCRAPBOOKS 1933-1955 BOX 2

This series consists of two scrapbooks pertaining to Mosley’s childhood, education and military career. The scrapbooks contain chiefly newspaper clippings.

SERIES 4 PHOTOGRAPHS n.d. BOX 1

Photographs of Mosley’s wife and family are included in this series. Also included are photographs of Tuskegee Airmen.

SERIES 5 OVERSIZE 1934, 1993 OVFOLDER 1

This series consists of an American Woodmen insurance beneficiary certificate and a poster marking the 15 th anniversary of the Women’s Bank. Mosley’s wife, Edna, was a member of the 1993 Board of Directors and is pictured on the poster.

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Series I: Personal Papers

Box 1: Papers

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Series 2: Tuskegee Airmen

Box 1: Papers

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Series 3: Scrapbooks

Box 2: Scrapbooks

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Series 4: Photographs

Box 3: Photographs

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Series 5: Oversize

OVFolder 1: Oversize

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