Tuskegee Airman to get stolen medal replaced

GARY, Ind. (AP) - Officials are working to replace a Congressional Gold Medal stolen from a 93-year-old northwestern Indiana man who was among the Tuskegee Airmen unit of black fighter pilots during World War II.

The medal was stolen from Quentin Smith's home in Gary during a burglary last summer, but police Sgt. Freddie Cook says Smith was reluctant to report the crime.

Cook tells The Times of Munster that he can't believe someone had the audacity to steal the medal that Smith and other Tuskegee Airmen received in 2007. Congressman Pete Visclosky's office says it is working to get a replacement medal.

Smith tells the Post-Tribune of Merrillville that he's grateful for efforts made on his behalf.

The former high school principal was mostly a flight instructor with the unit.