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PHOTOS: The Legacy of August Harvey Martin America’s First Black Commercial Airline Pilot
The August Martin Activities Book, published in 1980 by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), was created to honor the life and legacy of Captain August Harvey Martin. He was a pioneering aviator whose achievements shattered racial barriers in the history of American aviation.
Early Life and Education
August Harvey Martin was born on August 30, 1919, in Los Angeles, California. From childhood, he showed a strong fascination with airplanes and flight. He graduated from DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx, New York, and later attended New York University. His passion for aviation led him to enroll in the Civilian Pilot Training Program, a federal initiative designed to train civilian pilots in preparation for World War II.
Martin later trained at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, where he became part of the historic Tuskegee Airmen program—the first group of African American military aviators in United States history. His experience there shaped his vision of equality and representation in aviation.
Career and Achievements
In 1955, August Martin made history as the first African American to be hired as a commercial airline pilot when he joined Seaboard World Airlines. He later achieved another milestone by becoming the first African American to captain a U.S.-scheduled commercial air carrier. His professionalism, skill, and determination helped pave the way for future generations of Black pilots.
Outside his career, Captain Martin was deeply committed to mentorship and humanitarian work. He volunteered his time to educate and guide young people—particularly African Americans—who aspired to enter the aviation field. Through his outreach, he became a symbol of perseverance and leadership.
Death and Legacy
Tragically, Captain August Martin’s life ended on July 30, 1968, when his aircraft crashed during a humanitarian mission to deliver relief supplies to Biafra amid the Nigerian Civil War. Poor weather conditions caused the fatal accident, claiming the lives of all onboard.
Despite his untimely death, Martin’s legacy has endured through the decades. In 1971, August Martin High School was established in Jamaica, Queens, New York, in his honor. The institution is one of the few in the United States focused on aviation and aeronautical education, ensuring that his dream of empowering future aviators continues.
Cultural Recognition
The FAA’s August Martin Activities Book (1980) played a vital role in introducing young readers to aviation while celebrating Martin’s historic achievements. Beyond education, it aimed to inspire students of all backgrounds to pursue aviation and overcome social and racial limitations.
Today, his story is preserved in aviation museums, educational institutions, and historical archives across the country. His contributions have been recognized by organizations dedicated to honoring African American pioneers in science, technology, and flight.
Quick Facts
Full Name: August Harvey Martin
Date of Birth: August 30, 1919
Date of Death: July 30, 1968
Nationality: American
Profession: Pilot
Employer: Seaboard World Airlines
Known For: First African American commercial airline pilot and captain of a U.S.-scheduled air carrier
Legacy Institution: August Martin High School, Queens, New York
Cause of Death: Airplane crash during humanitarian mission to Biafra, Nigeria
Sources
1. U.S. Department of Transportation / Federal Aviation Administration. August Martin Activities Book. 1980.
2. Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum Archives. “Captain August Harvey Martin: Aviation Pioneer.”
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