Roy Elmer LaGrone (February 1, 1921 – December 8, 1993) was an American art director and illustrator. He was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen.
Biography.
LaGrone was born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, on February 1, 1921. He studied at the Tuskegee Institute. Before graduating he was drafted into the Army Air Corps in 1942. During World War II LaGrone fought with the 332d Fighter Group (known as the Tuskegee Airmen) in Africa and Italy.
He was discharged from military service in 1946. LaGrone remained in Italy for a time to study at the University of Florence. He returned to the United States and completed his studies at the Pratt Institute, graduating in 1949.
LaGrone's employment included art director for the magazine "Amerika", art director of the Rutgers University Medical School, and creating historical images of the U.S. Air Force and the Tuskegee Airmen. He was a member of the Society of Illustrators and created record covers and book jackets as a free-lance artist.
LaGrone died at his home in the Somerset section of Franklin Township, Somerset County, New Jersey, on December 8, 1993. In 1996, his artwork was featured in "Tuskegee's Heroes: As Depicted in the Aviation Art of Roy E. La Grone" which was published by MotorBooks International. In 2001, he was inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame and Museum of New Jersey.