U.S. Army Sgt. Creadell Haley was born on the 4th of July 1916 in Oklahoma and from a young age was fascinated by flight and machines. She learned engine repair in high school and before the war she enrolled in flight lessons. She was ready to get her pilot's license when war broke out. She put that on hold and became  one few the black Army WAACs trained as a mechanic.

She rose to the rank of sergeant by the time the war ended, and she picked up where she left off. 

In 1946 took her first solo flight, earning her pilot’s license. She also moved to California, attending the Los Angeles Conservancy of Music and later, San Jose State University. 
During her time in California, she was draw to the Baha’i faith and become very active. She recorded an album of faith songs, “Fire and Snow,” which includes, “Baha'u'llah,” featuring her clear peaceful voice. You can hear it and see more of here pictures here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gW25BmifXrM). 

In 1959 she moved to Nicaragua to help spread the faith. After five years she was forced to return due to illness, but after a few years she departed again. This time to Venezuela. She returned for good the U.S. again to South Carolina in 1972.  There she taught Spanish and piano. In 1999 she moved Washington D.C. 

Sgt. Creadell Haley died in 2000 and is interred at the National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico. She was 83.

Additional information:

https://www.hsqac.org/pioneering-pilot-s-missions-carried-her-skyward

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cqw8IDyNcHw

Creadell J. Haley (1916–2000) is a Notable burial at https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/quantico.asp. She was born in Oklahoma, where she and a brother were raised by an aunt and uncle. Haley graduated from Quincy High School in 1936 and enlisted in the Women's Army Air Corps (WAAC) in 1942. Her mechanical aptitude led to an opportunity to train as an aviation cadet. At the end of World War II, Haley was discharged at the rank of sergeant and continued her training as a pilot. She took her first solo flight in 1946. Sergeant Haley was the first woman, and only African-American, from Adams County, OK, to serve in the WAAC. This pioneer aviatrix became a Baha'i missionary to South America and composed hymns for her faith. She died November 2 in Washington, DC.  https://www.h-net.org/~bahai/diglib/Periodicals/NBR/004.pdf.
*The preceding content is not intended as a comprehensive biography, but it highlights their significance as a result of military or civilian distinction, lasting achievements, or association with impactful national events. 

A black woman smiles. She is older, but few wrinkles. She radiates a peaceful joy.

National Memorial Cemetery at Quantico

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