By: Dean Johnson, Follow South Jersey Editor-in-Chief
Editor’s Note: As part of the commemoration of Salem City’s 350th Anniversary, Follow South Jersey and the Follow Salem Podcast will offer 350 stories about the past, present, and future of Salem throughout 2025. We’d love to hear your story. Please contact Dean Johnson, Editor-in-Chief of Follow South Jersey, at dean@hopeloft.com.
SALEM, N.J. – William H. Accoo lived a life of service to country, city, church, and family.
Known as Bill to his friends, Accoo was born on October 14, 1914, in Salem, NJ, to Clarke and Florence Accoo. The youngest of nine children, Accoo attended the Salem City Public School System.
In February, 1942, Accoo was inducted into the Army and was sent to Tuskegee, Alabama, where he became part of the 332d Fighter Group, 99th Fighter Squadron as a Crew Chief. Accoo earned the rank of Staff Sergeant, serving in Italy and North Africa during World War II. Accoo is listed as a documented original Tuskegee Airman.
After the war, Accoo returned home to live with his parents in Salem, when, not long after his return, he met a Bridgeton school teacher named Ida Mae Mitchell. In August 1946, the two were married in the parsonage of Mt. Teman African Methodist Episcopal Church in Elizabeth, NJ. The couple settled in Salem where they raised their children.
Accoo worked at A. W. Davis Lumber Company for 26 years until the company closed down. He then found employment at Mannington Mills in Salem and worked there until he retired in 1980.
During those years, Accoo was active in his church and his community.
He was a member of Mt. Hope United Methodist Church in Salem where he served as church Treasurer for 22 years and President of the Administrative Board for 21 years. After the church was damaged from a fire, Accoo oversaw restoration of the Sanctuary and Sunday school room.
Accoo also served as a civic leader and community activist. He was the first Commander of American Legion Post 444. In 1963, he became the first Black person to serve on the Salem City Council. He held the post until 1966.
Accoo was also a Welfare Officer in Civil Defense, served four years on the Board of Directors for the Guidance Center, 12 years on the Board of Directors for the local YMCA, and 21 years on the Board of Directors of the United Way.
Further, he served on the Mayor’s Task Force and was affiliated with the Community Action Group. Accoo also organized and worked with a youth group called the “Valiants” for two years, and served as President, Treasurer and Chairman of the Entertainment Committee for the Townsmen Social Club.
After his retirement, he became an active member of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., which represents the Tuskegee Airmen at social gatherings, sharing the achievements and the impact of Black Americans serving in the armed forces.
In May 2007, Congressman Frank LoBiondo presented Accoo with the Congressional Gold Medal in a ceremony at the old courthouse in Salem.
According to Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., Accoo’s favorite saying was that “life should be filled with loving, caring and sharing.” His life showed that that was not just what he said but how he lived.
William H. Accoo died August 27, 2008, at 93 years old. His wife Ida Mitchell Accoo died in 2015. The couple were married for 62 years.
Accoo is buried in the Salem County War Veteran’s Memorial Park and Cemetery in Pilesgrove, NJ.
Editor’s note: Information for this article came from Tuskegee Airmen Inc. Public Relations, P.O. Box 830060 Tuskegee, AL 36083.
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