Ball State President Jo Ann M. Gora will present the Ball State President's Medal of Distinction to seven of the original Tuskegee Airmen and the widows of two of their comrades during a special ceremony Feb. 28 in Emens Auditorium. Only 31 persons have been honored in this way since the commission to strike the medal was given in 1989.

Those receiving the medals are Indianapolis residents Arthur Carter, 83, aircraft engineer; Roscoe Harkins, 87, pilot; Pompey Hawkins, 91, military photographer; Louis Linthecome, 78, communications officer; and Walter Palmer, 84, pilot. Also to be honored are Fort Wayne resident Harold Gaulden, a former military police officer, and Chicago resident Julius Jackson, 84, pilot. Faye McDaniel, widow of pilot Armour McDaniel, and Leonora Anderson, widow of Rayfield Anderson, will receive medals on behalf of their deceased husbands.

"The Tuskegee Airmen not only fought our enemies in World War II with bravery and distinction, but they also confronted an evil within American society and the military — racism," Gora said. "I am delighted to present these men and women with the President's Medal of Distinction in recognition of their service to our country and the contribution to our understanding of their experiences that will be gained by their two public appearances at Emens Auditorium."

The President's Medal of Distinction is awarded to recognize persons who have made significant and unselfish contributions to the advancement of the university, the community, the state or the nation. The honorary degree and this medal are the highest awards presented by Ball State. The President's Medal of Distinction is usually given to honor those who have made outstanding contributions outside the academic arena.

The medals will be presented at the end of a special 10 a.m. program for local school children in grades K-12. Community members are welcome to attend the morning program as space is available. Another program with the airmen is scheduled for 3 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public.

The presentations will open with a 15-minute video about the Tuskegee Airmen, an Army Air Corps program that began in 1941 to train black Americans as military pilots. It was the first step to prove that the military could be integrated.

Following the video, the airmen will recall their experiences in the Army Air Corps. There will be a question-and-answer session following the presentation.

"I would encourage the university community to take advantage of this opportunity to hear the inspirational story of the Tuskegee Airmen," Gora said.

The program is made possible through the support of more than a dozen community and university sponsors.