LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Are there anymore out there?
A Kentucky’s veteran group is searching for surviving members of the "Red Ball Express," a legendary convoy that drove vital supplies during World War II. They found one in Sgt. Hubert “Mac” McCuin.
What You Need To Know
- Hubert "Mac" McCuin is one of the longest living WWII vets in Kentucky
- Sgt. Mac McCuin is a veteran of the legendary “Red Ball Express”
- Red Ball Express was Army supply convoy staffed primarily by African American soldiers during WWII
- Honor Flight Bluegrass is searching for more veterans of Red Ball Express
The unit was staffed primarily with African American soldiers, because they could not fight on the front lines. Sgt. Mac McCuin is perhaps one of the few surviving members of the Red Ball Express living in Kentucky.
McCuin is living an extraordinary life. The Texan-born centenarian was born during World War I and served during World War II. Believe it or not, McCuin was in his early 50s during the moon landing and there have been many memories since.
“I was a platoon sergeant for a while,” Sgt. McCuin told members of Honor flight Bluegrass. But there’s something extra special about McCuin’s years in the Army.
McCuin was part of the Red Ball Express, the Army supply convoy staffed by African American soldiers. During World War II, Black soldiers were not allowed to fight on the front lines.
“They drove trucks, supply trucks across France and we had to have gasoline, ammunition, food to supply all these troops, especially after the Battle of the Bulge,” Jeff Thoke said. Thoke is the chairman of Honor Flight Bluegrass, the veterans’ organization which provides free trips to Washington, D.C. for older veterans so they can visit the war memorials built in their honor.
Mac McCuin was in late 20s during his service years in WWII.
“I was in the position that helped support the Red Ball Express and I’m proud of them because they did a wonderful job… They worked the hell out of us but it was necessary,” Sgt. McCuin says with a laugh.
Sgt. McCuin lives in an assisted residential community in Louisville. Later this year, he’ll turn 105 years old.
Mac is one of two Red Ball Express vets living in Kentucky that Jeff Thoke is aware of. So Thoke is asking, are there more out there?
“There’s only about 200,000 WWII veterans left of the 16 million men and women and of that a very few number were part of the Red Ball Express,” he explained.
Thoke’s mission is to find more heroes like Stg. Mac so they too can be honored for their service.