Services Friday at Layne and Jefferson Barracks
Major John Falker Briggs passed peacefully at home in Creve Coeur on June 2, 2007 at age 86.
John Briggs was born in St. Louis, and graduated from Sumner High School in 1939. He attended Stowe Teachers’ College, majoring in engineering.
Major John F. Briggs was an original member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen. He is depicted in a mural honoring black aviators at Lambert Airport. On March 29, 2007, Major Briggs was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal at the U.S. Capitol Rotunda in Washington by President George W. Bush along with over 300 surviving Tuskegee Airmen.
John was a fighter pilot in World War II. He flew P-51 Mustangs, for the 332nd Fighter Group in Italy and shot down a German Messerschmitt 109 on August 24, 1944 while escorting bombers over the present-day Czech Republic. After the war, Major Briggs retired from the Airforce in 1963. He joined the Federal Aviation Administration as the first black air carrier inspector. He retired from this position in 1986.
John married the former Mary Jane Williams of St. Louis in 1961. The Briggs’ moved from Hurst, Texas back to St. Louis in 2004. In addition to his wife, he is survived by two brothers: Adolphus (Sharon) Briggs, George (Imelda) Carper, sister-in-law: Althlee (the late Clayton) Williams, nieces and nephew: Vivian (Jerry) Ransburg, Teresa (the late Stanley) Rice, and Clayton C. Williams, Jr. He will also be missed by great-nieces and nephews, cousins, and a host of friends.
Memorial service will be held at Layne Renaisssance Chapel on Friday, June 22 at 12 p.m. interment will be at National Cemetery Jefferson Barracks with full military honors.