The Incredible Legacy Of The Tuskegee Airmen

The Tuskegee Airmen were 13 black cadets and officers who were brought into the U.S. Airforce in 1941. They went to a training facility in Tuskegee, Alabama, to learn how to fly.

Taking Their Shot

The military was segregated during World War II, and many lacked confidence in black people's ability to fly planes. They doubted whether or not the black cadets could understand the complicated planes.

Unfortunately, it took quite a bit of effort on the airmen's part to win people over. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt's visit to the base was a step in the right direction.

One of the officers asked if she would like to go up in the plane and she gladly accepted. Their next move came quickly when they were sent overseas to Europe.

Fighting Italian's and German's

In Europe, the Tuskegee Airmen got to test their skills against Italian and German pilots. Then, in 1943, they went up against Italian fighters in the skies over Tunisia.

Lt. Charles B. Hall shot down a German pilot while flying an old P-40. Even with their efforts, they still faced political criticisms. They were paired with another group who led the complaints.

Of course, the commander did not mention that the 99th was purposefully left out of meetings and was based far front the front lines. He also failed to mention that they only flew the older model airplanes.

However, the 99th continued on and went to Italy.

Cooperative in Italy

The 99th started to make headway in Italy. Their counterparts there actually included them in briefings and allowed them to be equal partners in missions. In 1944, they had shot down 12 German planes.

They went with the 332nd Fighter Group to escort the heavy bombers. They were given P-47s and p-51s to fly. These missions were incredibly successful. So much so that the 332nd was requested for missions.

They had Red tails painted on their planes, and often the bombers they were escorting had no idea they were black. The Tuskegee pilots flew over 15,000 flights, shot down 111 German planes, and obliterated 1,000 railcars, vehicles, and aircraft on the ground.

Their successes in the war helped lead the U.S. Military to end segregation and integrate in 1948. The 332nd is still flying today, with both black and white pilots working together.

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12 comments on “The Incredible Legacy Of The Tuskegee Airmen”

  1. Stories heard from WW2 AAF Bomber Pilots based out of Africa to bomb the Pelostoi oil fields was that they prayed for Red Tail protection.

  2. These airmen were an amazing group. They fought the enemy with alacrity, even when many of their own countrymen disparaged them. We have come a long ways since the early 1900's.

  3. Awesome! This is my favorite kind of History! They did excellent work against incredible odds, and earned the respect of their peers!

  4. “Fighting Italians and Germans...” does not need apostrophes when you mean more than one Italian or German. An apostrophe would be used to show possession - that is, something belonging to the Italian or the German.

    1. They sure did have lawyers!!!!! to keep them from execution when they mutinied back in the states during training cause their officers club "wasn't up to their standards!" Elenor R made sure they had this removed from their records. But there is still plenty about if you actually look!

  5. I have know about these pilots and navigators and know of the section of I-15 tha tis named Tuskegee Airmen Highway, but this article helped me to know more about these brave men.
    Thanks for posting this history.

  6. these same men.. here TODAY would NOT have the smarts to gain voter i.d according democrats on the far left if you don't have i.d in this day & age, you must be a non person.... and not be allowed to vote but a invisible person... with a invisible i.d... right this way .. here is your ballot .... WHAT? ... who said that ? just sayin jimbo

  7. Need to name some Air Force bases from men in this Unit
    & Musuem center too sited, see movie Red Tails

  8. More bulls*** revisionist histroy after most everyone involved is dead! Ni**ers seem to be doing a lot of that since Oblammer got away with it!

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