Explore Black History

1943

This insurance policy was issued to Sherman T. Rose, a civilian flight instructor and original Tuskegee Airman, who trained Tuskegee pilots in World War II and continued working for the U.S. military as a civilian flight instructor after the war. A student at the Tuskegee Institute, Rose was a graduate of the first Advanced Civil Pilot Training Program class there in 1940. After passing the advanced training course, Rose stayed at Tuskegee as a civilian flight instructor, where he taught members of the 99th Pursuit Squadron and the 332nd Fighter Group. Although the term “Tuskegee Airmen” is often limited to the relatively small group of military aviators, specifically pilots with the 99th Pursuit Squadron and 332nd fighter group, there were over 10,000 African American men and women at Tuskegee who supported those aviators, both as members of the military and as civilians like Mr. Rose, who also earned the title “Tuskegee Airmen.” Rose continued working for the U.S. military as a civilian flight instructor after the war, becoming the first Black flight instructor at Fort Rucker, Alabama. Rose served as a fixed wing and rotary wing instructor there for more than 20 years, retiring in 1974.

Globe Indemnity Company Aero-Flight Accident Policy and sleeve issued to Sherman Twitchell Rose.
a. The document consists of a few sheets of paper folded serval times into a tall rectangular pamphlet. There is blue text at the top which reads [Globe / Indemnity Company / HEAD OFFICE, NEW YORK / (A Stock Company]. There is a double horizontal line with more blue text below. It reads [“AERO-FLIGHT” / ACCIDENT POLICY / (Form AVF) / No. AVF 4376 / ISSUE TO / SHERMAN TWITCHELL ROSE]/ “4376" is in red ink, and “Sherman Twitchell Rose” is in black ink. There is an illustration of an airplane behind the text. There is another set of double horizontal lines. The blue text below the lines reads [This Policy provides indemnity for loss / of life, limb, sight, and other speci- / fied losses caused by bodily injuries / effected through accidental means, to / the extent herein provided. There is red diagonal text stamped on top of the blue text. It reads [THIS POLICY IS LIMITED TO / AVIATION ACCIDENTS ONLY. / READ IT CAREFULLY.]. There are two more horizontal lines under the text. There is a black and grey Alexander & Company Insurance sticker at the bottom of the pamphlet followed by blue text about the printing information.
The inside of the policy features several sections including [Insuring Clause], [Schedule of Indemnities], and [Standard Provisions]. There is a page signed by several different people, and it includes a signature which reads [K. Spencer]. The back of the pamphlet has blue text at the top which reads [NOTICE: / Read Your Policy. / Give Notice of any Accident as / Required by the Policy.]. The pamphlet has several marks, creases, and areas of discoloration.
b. The brown paper sleeve has blue text on the bottom which reads [AERO INSURANCE UNDERWRITERS]. There are blue and red designs on either side of the text. There is blue text on the back of the sleeve which describes some advice for staying safe and keeping insurance costs low. There is red text underneath which reads [“Prevention is the Cure / for Accidents.”]. There is a blue eagle and globe logo with [AERO / SERVICE] typed on it. There is text on the bottom right side which reads [Printed in U.S.A.]. There are blue and red designs along the bottom. The sleeve is torn and discolored in several places.

Insurance policy document issued to Tuskegee Airman Sherman R. Rose

National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection

Documents and Manuscripts

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Sheron J. Rose, daughter

National Museum of African American History and Culture

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documents

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ink on paper with metallic paper and adhesive

H x W x D (a. closed pamphlet): 8 1/2 × 3 1/2 × 1/16 in. (21.6 × 8.9 × 0.2 cm)
H x W (b. pamphlet pocket): 8 3/4 × 4 in. (22.2 × 10.2 cm)

Title • Globe Indemnity Company Aero-Flight Accident Policy No. 4376

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NMAAHC

GLOBE INDEMNITY COMPANY AERO-FLIGHT ACCIDENT POLICY NO. 4376

National Museum of African American History and Culture

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1940s • 1939-1945

Rose, Sherman T. • Tuskegee Institute

Macon County • United States • North and Central America • Tuskegee • Alabama

WW II • Tuskegee Airmen • Aeronautics • Military • World War, 1939-1945

City • Tuskegee • County • Macon County • State • Alabama • Country • United States • Continent • North and Central America

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