Posted on 03/07/2025 7:27:37 PM PST by SunkenCiv
Except that soldiers (and Navy pilots) who flew planes and were part of an aircrew were also informally called "airmen" (for example, the "Tuskegee Airmen"). That's clearly the sense that the article writer mentions it, as she does not capitalize it as is done when describing U.S. Air Force Airmen.
I understand informal usage but the Archaeology Magazine writer should have been more precise and informative by not misleading today’s ignorant readers into thinking the soldier died fighting as an Air Force pilot.
The Air Force was created in 1947 and the new military branch replaced “soldier” with “airman” in 1950, before that they were known as soldiers.
Formally, yes. Colloquially (within the brotherhood), they referred to themselves with pride as airmen
Whether your claim is true or not, it doesn’t change the truth of post 22.
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