Eddie and Ethel enjoying an evening out with friends

Eddie married the beautiful Ethel Ballom, a union which produced four sons.

Eddie was a jet engine mechanic.

Eddie served in the U.S. Air Force where he was a jet engine mechanic. The engine pictured is most likely the J57 which powered the B52 bomber and still is in use today. In the fifties, Eddie was probably one of the first African Americans to be a jet engine mechanic. He became a supervisor and was in charge of a group of mechanics. After retiring from the Air Force, Eddie sought employment at several commercial airlines as a mechanic and was not hired. He wrote job recommendations for others who worked under him that were hired

Eddie as a young man served in the U.S. Navy

Ships roster U.S.S. Bataan

U.S.S. Bataan circa 1945

In the U.S. Navy during WWII, one of the ships he served on was the original U.S.S. Bataan. Great pictures and history of this ship can be found here.