Class 45A, fighter pilot (single-engine) group graduation class photo, with P-40 plane in background (courtesy of Sam Broadnax)
Posted on 02/11/2005 3:06:23 AM PST by Former Military Chick
Though it can be said that the Tuskegee Airmen are to military aviation what Jackie Robinson is to major league baseball, it is surprising that many Americans, both young and old, still have not heard of them.
Class 45A, fighter pilot (single-engine) group graduation class photo, with P-40 plane in background (courtesy of Sam Broadnax)
Prior to World War II, many in the military believed that African-Americans would not perform well in combat and were incapable of flying. A 1925 study conducted by the Army War College concluded that African-Americans were inherently ill-suited for combat physically and psychologically. In 1939, the government began establishing flight schools at colleges around the nation but refused to do so at any of the Black colleges. A Howard University student lodged a lawsuit in protest, and thanks to mounting pressure from black newspapers, the NAACP, and sympathetic government leaders, including President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his wife Eleanor, the "Tuskegee Experiment" was begun. A flight school was founded at the historic Tuskegee University in Alabama, and On July 19, 1941, the Army Air Corps initiated the program.
At its inception, twelve cadets and one officer, Captain Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., who later became the Air Force's first African American general, were in the program. These and later graduates became known as "Tuskegee Airmen," and formed the 99th Pursuit Squadron. The 99th fought with distinction in the Mediterranean Theater, and later joined three newer Tuskegee squadrons to form the 332nd Fighter Group. The 332nd distinguished itself in Italy, flying combat missions and escorting bombers.
The "Tuskegee Experiment" was expected to fail. However, not only was the program a milestone in training African-Americans as military pilots, but the Tuskegee Airmen went on to succeed with flying colors. Tuskegee pilots garnered some of the most envied military records in history, and more importantly advanced the American Civil Rights Movement by setting the precedent that would force the American military to begin to fully integrate in 1948 -- more than a decade before Martin Luther King Jr. marched on Washington.
The Tuskegee program also forged a group of men who would earn advanced degrees and make notable achievements in the fields of law, social policy, politics, medicine, education, and finance. Surprisingly, aviation was not on this list, as private aviation industries were closed at the time to African-Americans.
That the 926 servicemembers who graduated from Tuskegee succeeded at a time when racist attitudes were officially sanctioned in the military is a testament to the men's extraordinary determination to succeed as pilots, which by its nature is one of the most academically and psychologically challenging areas of military service.
The Program at Tuskegee (part 2)
Woody Crockett climbs into the cockpit of the P-51 that he affectionately called “Daisy Mae” after his wife.
The Freeman Field Incident (part 4)
Registration at Freeman Field, 1944 (Indiana State Archive photograph).
Air Force Lt. Col. Stayce D. Harris poses with Tuskegee Airmen at her change of Command ceremony. Harris is the first black woman to command an active flying squadron in the U.S. Air Force.
I found this an amazing part of our military history. Granted it is long but it is worth the time.
I met one of these gentlemen at an air show two years ago. I don't normally find myself groping for words in any situation but I sure did that day. I was awe struck, plain and simple.
What I find really interesting about this story is that nearly all the reasons given for Blacks being unsuitable for command (or much of anything else involving responsibility) and considered undisputed genetic bedrock are now being said about women -- only in the case of women they are being unquestionably accepted and any women who dispute them are being called names and told that they are, among other polite phrases "Feminazis."
Perhaps in 60 years we will consider this behaviour quaint as well. I hope. (However, I've been listening to it for nearly that long now and it seems to be pretty well entrenched.)
Great post and links, thank you...
I had the distinct privelege of knowing one of these men, although his story went untold to most within our company for many years. When I knew him, he was a polite, soft-spoken, intelligent gentleman that worked in our Human Resources department, leading various Training programs. He had a an orthopedic shoe that added several inches to one foot, as it was shorter than the other and he walked with a distinct limp. Of course, I never asked about it and assumed he had a condition from birth.
It wasn't until he was near his retirement date that his story was published in our company newsletter. I admit I had not heard of the Tuskeegee airmen until that moment. As it turns out, he had flown 133 missions in Europe. On that last mission, his P-51 was damaged by exploding ammunition during a strafing run and he parachuted unconscious from a burning aircraft. His hip was broken during ejection and he ended up landing in a tree, still unconcious. He was captured and remained a POW for the remainder of the war and the German doctors cared for him as best they could. He received several medals of distinction for his service. In his retirement he has worked with the Tuskeegee airmen and worked tirelessly to establish the WWII monument to the Washington Mall.
I have not seen him in many years now but I consider him one of my true heroes. He sets an example in humility and honor. I wish him and the entire 332nd well.
Military history **PING**
I would certainly be proud of those! LTNS, thanks for commenting!
Kudos to the Tuskegee Airmen! Long may they be remembered!
I was privileged to meet a number of these great men, including Capt. Davis, while working on a documentary about them that was shown on the History Channel. What struck me, among other things, was that they were not bitter about the way they were treated in country, so much as amused by it. They were and are men of courage, dignity and strength, and their achievements are an inspiration.
As an Air Force brat, I was well-acquainted with the legendary reputation of the Tuskegee airmen and the 99th Pursuit Squadron. As an Air Force brat, I also had the distinct pleasure of growing up in an environment in which race did not seem to be an issue - at least to the kids. It afforded me an opportunity to meet LTG Benjamin O. Davis (after his retirement) and GEN Daniel "Chappie" James, who was my father's squadron commander: two men for whom I had the highest personal and professional respect and both of whom contributed to my decision to pursue a career in the military.
Only indirectly relating to this story is how revisionist history, particularly leading up to the 1964 election, cast BG/SEN Barry Goldwater (also an Air Force pilot) as a racist war monger, when, in fact, he was one of the champions of integration in the military long before it was fasionable.
Bravo, Bravo!! You are so right. There was an excellent movie depicting these fine military members, it came out several years ago. I imagine those that have heard of them, were through that movie.
I do not know if it is even discussed in today's history class. A damn shame!
Excellent comment!
Ping..........
Great story, thanks!
FMC, I've learned more history here at FR than I've learned through all of my schooling. I was in advanced classes too. I didn't know that I didn't know anything before I joined FR.
That is damn scary.
Grading a primary student at Tuskegee on his solo landing.
A class of twin-engine pilots in front in flight caps and single engine pilots in rear in helmets and goggles, Dec. 1943.
Well said! I also saw their story on that History Channel special. A far cry from today's black "leadership."
This should be a "must-show" in public schools:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114745/
They were in the Superbowl show. It was great!
Truth in advertising moment: that was not the one that I worked on. The one I worked on was narrated by the late Ossie Davis and featured interviews with the pilots.
Don't know if it's true, but, read somewhere that they never lost a bomber that they escorted. Can anyone back this up?
Thanks for the ping!
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