Press Releases

CINCINNATI – This week, Congressman Brad Wenstrup (OH-02) and Congressman Steve Chabot (OH-01) introduced a bill to rename the Post Office at 3493 Burnet Avenue in Cincinnati the John H. Leahr and Herbert M. Heilbrun Post Office, located in the neighborhood in which the two men went to school together. The bill has the bipartisan support of Ohio’s congressional delegation.

John Leahr and Herbert “Herb” Heilbrun served as pilots in the Army Air Corps, where Mr. Leahr served as a Fighter Squadron P-51 Mustang pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen, and Mr. Heilbrun served as a B-17 bomber pilot.

Many decades after the war, Herb Heilbrun visited an annual meeting of the Tuskegee Airmen in 1997 where he met John Leahr. Mr. Heilbrun and Mr. Leahr learned that they unknowingly flew on some of the same missions in the War, were both from Cincinnati, and even attended the same elementary school at North Avondale Elementary School.

The pair dedicated their later years to promoting interracial understanding and unity, and they were subsequently honored by the Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations for their work. Their work led to the book Black and White Airmen: Their True History about them, which chronicles their history, friendship, and efforts to bring others together to overcome racial divides. Mr. Leahr passed away in 2015 and Mr. Heilbrun passed away at the age of 100 this past December.

The men were the subject of a 2019 Local 12 documentary titled “Side by Side.”

“John Leahr and Herbert Heilbrun share an incredible history and should serve as models for us all. They were dedicated to their country and fellow servicemen, no matter their race or background. Renaming this post office after them will honor their legacy and ensure more will learn of their story, their sacrifice, and their example. I am pleased to introduce this legislation to honor John Leahr and Herb Heilbrun for their service and sacrifices,” said Congressman Wenstrup.

“As with so many other members of the Greatest Generation, John Leahr and Herbert Heilbrun continued their service to our nation long after their military service came to an end. Their friendship, which developed late in their lives, provides an inspiring example of how we, as a nation and a community, can overcome racial differences and instead focus on those issues that unite us as Americans and as Cincinnatians. Naming the Burnet Avenue post office after these two American heroes will help to cement that legacy and ensure that their example continues to inspire future generations,” said Congressman Chabot.

“My father decided early on that he wasn’t going to live a life full of hate or bitterness, despite the many injustices he had to endure throughout his life. His friendship with Herb Heilbrun and the things they accomplished together should serve as the gold standard of honor, respect, and kindness for us all. Renaming this post office will help to tell their incredible story to a country that needs to hear it,” said John W. Leahr, son of John H. Leahr.

“Johnny and Herb were incredible men who lived incredible lives – not only in service to their country but in the lessons they taught us later in life about friendship, respect, and tolerance. I was blessed to have a front row seat to many of the compelling talks they gave and believe we can continue to learn from their examples. Renaming this post office after Johnny and Herb will honor the legacy of two great men and help us share their inspirational story to those in our community for generations to come,” said Carol Heilbrun, wife of Herbert Heilbrun.

“Herb and John worked together to share their story with schoolchildren and help them understand the challenges faced by African American aviators in WWII. From this story they taught children the ugliness of racism and helped to spread a message of racial equality in an accessible way. They leave behind a legacy of honor, patriotism, kindness, and strength of character that will be remembered forever. A small part of that legacy is the Tri-State Warbird Museum itself, which was ultimately founded as a result of Herb and John sharing their story with area students; the impact of which inspired the idea for the museum. To memorialize their many contributions to the Cincinnati community by naming the Burnet Avenue Post Office after them is a wonderful way to ensure that their names and their story live on in Cincinnati for years to come,” said David O’Maley, President, Tri-State Warbird Museum.