For six years, Marlon Dewitt Green fought a court battle with Continental Airlines since he was overlooked and rejected when he applied for a pilot position. His landmark United States Supreme Court decision in 1963 helped with dismantling racial discrimination within the American passenger airline industry. However, it wasn’t until 1965, after much paperwork, when Green was hired by Continental Airlines, for whom he flew from 1965 – 1978.
It wasn’t until 2010, after his death, that Continental Airlines named a Boeing 737 after him. He was also inducted into the Arkansas Aviation Hall of Fame.
References:
- Buggs, Shannon. 2010. Jet named for trailblazing Black pilot at Continental. Houston Chronicle.
- Whitlock, Flint. 2009. Turbulence Before Takeoff: The Life & Times of Aviation Pioneer Marlon Dewitt Green. Cable Publishing. ISBN 978-1-934980-66-8.
- Stewart, D. R. 2008. “AA Honors First Black Airline Pilot.” Tulsa World. Oklahoma.