Congressman Crow Dedicates Aurora VA Clinic to Lt. Col. John W. Mosley, Honors Colorado Civil Rights Leader and Decorated Tuskegee Airman
AURORA — On Friday, Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06) welcomed community leaders, Mosley family members, and local elected officials to dedicate the new Aurora VA outpatient clinic to Lieutenant Colonel John W. Mosley, the first Black football player at Colorado State University, a decorated Tuskegee Airman, and life-long civil rights leader. The VA clinic is named for Lt. Col. John W. Mosley after legislation introduced by Crow was signed into law by President Biden in November 2021.
Among the attendees were Lt. Col. Mosley’s son, Captain Eric Mosley and Mosley family members, Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman, and Buckley Space Force Base Commander, Col. Marcus Jackson.
Rep. Crow with Lt. Col. John W. Mosley’s son, Captain Eric Mosley, Mosley family members, and community leaders at the VA outpatient clinic site dedication.
Photo courtesy of the Office of Congressman Jason Crow
Here's What They're Saying:
“As a civil rights pioneer, Lt. Col. John W. Mosley dedicated his life to serving our great nation and pushing our community to be better,” said Congressman Crow. “Lt. Col. Mosley broke barriers and sacrificed time and again to protect Coloradans. May this clinic honor his legacy, serve our veterans, and inspire us to break the unjust barriers that hold our nation back.”
“It is such an honor to have the new VA clinic named after Lt. Col. John Mosley so that his incredible legacy will never be forgotten,” said Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman.
“Dad’s life was dedicated to sacrifice and service. As a Tuskegee Airman, he fought for his country, and as a community leader he fought for his community and family to provide them with opportunities and services. How fitting and proud he would have been to know that the new Veterans Administration clinic to bear his name will focus on providing opportunities and services for the community which my father dearly loved. It’s a privilege and pleasure to represent my father on behalf of the Mosley family as we commemorate his service and dedicate the new clinic,” said Captain Eric Mosley.
“It is important to remember the lifelong leadership and service Lt. Col. Mosley provided for Colorado and this great nation. Let us not forget the history, accomplishments, and sacrifices that all the Tuskegee Airmen gave to our great democracy. This historic moment will raise awareness and immortalize the legacy of what Lt. Col. Mosely did for our service members,"said U.S. Space Force Col. Marcus Jackson, Space Base Delta 2 commander.
“There is a proud Colorado connection to the life, legacy, and history of Lieutenant Colonel John W. Mosley. Among many attributes, Mosley was a native of Denver, star athlete at Manual High School and trailblazer as the first Black football player at Colorado State University. He served in the U.S. Air Force as a Tuskegee Airman fighter pilot and assisted in bombing missions over Europe, North Africa, Korea, and Vietnam. LT. Colonel Mosely was an icon and his devotion, bravery, and distinction lead to the breaking down of racial barriers which lead to the end of segregation within the Armed Forces. I applaud Congressman Crow’s efforts in naming the Aurora VA facility after LTC Mosely for his collective service and sacrifice that has inspired the nation,” said State Senator Rhonda Fields.
“There is no better person than Lt. Col. John W. Mosley for the naming of Colorado’s new Veterans Administration clinic. Lt. Col. Mosley proved himself to be one of the greatest Coloradans and we are so proud that part of his incredible life was spent at Colorado State University. From his service to our country as a Tuskegee Airmen, to his stand-out athletic career and leadership in his Aurora community, Lt. Col. Mosley gave us his legacy of courage and perseverance through his dignity and leadership. He continues to inspire Colorado State students, and it is our hope that he inspires and gives pride to the veterans who will enter this facility,” said Amy Parsons, President of Colorado State University.
"How wonderful to think that in the future, veterans who never knew Lt. Col. John Mosley will learn of his remarkable life and career and be just as moved by his service then as we are now," said Rick Crandall, Executive Director of Colorado Freedom Memorial Foundation.
Rendering of the future Lt. Col. John W. Mosley VA Outpatient Clinic in Aurora (21825 East Quincy Ave. Aurora, CO 80018)
Photo courtesy of SDA, Inc. / DCB Construction Company, Inc. / U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
Background on Lt. Col. John W. Mosley
Throughout his life, Lt. Col. Mosley was a leader in Colorado and pioneer for civil rights. In college, Lt. Col. Mosley was one of only nine Black students at the Colorado State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts, now known as Colorado State University (CSU).
Following college, Mosley dedicated his life to national service as a Tuskegee Airman during WWII. Mosley served in the armed forces through the Vietnam War and Korean War until his retirement in 1970.
For his lifelong activism and leadership, Mosley was later inducted into the CSU Hall of Fame and Colorado Hall of Fame as well as honored with various community initiatives, including the John W. and Edna Wilson Scholarship Fund, John Mosley Mentoring Program at CSU, and now the Lt. Col. John W. Mosley VA Outpatient Clinic.