Retired Maj. Brady Tonth Jr. honored with historical marker

Numerous local dignitaries were on hand Wednesday morning at the Vicksburg Municipal Airport to unveil a new historical marker honoring retired Maj. Brady Tonth Jr.

Kerry Taylor, Robert Creer, Brady Tonth, and Mrs. Tonth (photo by David Day)

Brady Tonth Jr. (Photo by David Day)

Tonth, a longtime Vicksburg resident, is credited for breaking several barriers for African Americans. He was the first ROTC pilot commissioned from Mississippi Valley State University in 1973, the first Black trainee from Mississippi to complete the Air Force Pilot Training School, and the first Black pilot to fly for the Mississippi Air National Guard. He was also the first Black pilot to transport survival goods to a major war during Desert Storm.

Tonth retired as a captain from American Airlines in 2003 and is certified to fly 28 different aircrafts. He was an engineer on the first all African American flight crew in the company’s history. He is considered to be a Mississippi living legend.

Alex Monsour, George Flaggs, Kerry Taylor, Brady Tonth, Mrs. Tonth, Oscar Denton, Robert Creer (photo by David Day)

On hand to honor Tonth at Wednesday morning’s celebration were Mississippi Reps. Oscar Denton and Stephan Foster; Vicksburg Mayor George Flaggs Jr.; Aldermen Michael Mayfield Sr. and Alex Monsour Jr.; Warren County Supervisor Shawn Jackson, retired generals Robert Crear, Donna Williams and Dr Hilliard Lackley; and a crowd of family and other well wishers.