Rutherford Adkins: Fighter pilot turned physicist

In his October 2020 column titled “Career choices” (page 8), Charles Day introduces three individuals whose obituaries appeared in different issues of Physics Today 1998. One the themes was why selected careers that they did, all which grew out their having doctoral degrees physics.One people mentioned Rutherford Adkins, who after being drafted 1941 became a member Tuskegee Airmen, first African American aviator unit US armed forces. Adkins fighter pilot flew P-51D Mustang and completed 14 combat missions. But he fellow pilots support personnel faced both Jim Crow laws legal racial segregation at foreign military bases while fighting for “democracy” Europe.At end column, notes doesn’t know “why physicist Luftwaffe,” or other two physicists mentions made choices careers. “But,” says, “their lives remind us we have, even difficult times.”I authored Adkins’s obituary (September 1998, page 90), I write this letter to shine some light on complex issue chose be physicist. The statements come are based my personal experiences interactions with Adkins—who one physics professors Fisk University and, later, colleague friend.Young Black girls boys have always been curious sought various ways understand natural world. 1930s, when school age, realities society generally did not allow them acquire same education as white students. Many lived states where children went separate schools, received far less funding than those children, only small percentage it high school. could still ask, “Why is day sky blue, but night black?” can birds fly, humans?” water flow, stick cannot?” “Why?” “Why?”Rutherford professor university administrator flying Airmen during World War II. (Fisk University, John Hope Aurelia E. Franklin Library, Special Collections, Photograph Archives, Adkins008.)PPT|High resolutionTheir elders told answers existed mechanism obtain, comprehend, extend knowledge education. 1930, five years old, few adults had an taught more skills necessary domestic agricultural work, according 2004 Educator article by Peter Irons. nevertheless understood power how used betterment one’s physical, mental, social, intellectual, spiritual livelihoods experiences. Not valued, educated were considered great importance community. From Reconstruction era late 1950s, talked “white structure,” helped secure jobs people, wrote letters recommendation, initiated voter registration drives, acted protectors community’s interests.Thus surprising wanted As child, taken apart radios clocks, exploded ants lenses using Sun, set house ablaze exploration properties fire, read reread articles relativity ragged copy Encyclopædia Britannica.After graduation from school, journey spanned nearly decade half, culminating receiving doctorate 1955 Catholic America Washington, DC. That major factors: desire comprehend physical world need give back uplift community came. All accomplished within restrictions imposed US. Section:ChooseTop <<© 2021 Institute Physics.