In World War II, whites and Blacks still weren’t serving in the military together. However, when the Army Air Force (AAF) was in need of more pilots, it turned to Black Americans to get the job done. In doing so, the Tuskegee Airmen were born. Their impact is evident today as they were instrumental in bringing equality in the American Armed Forces as well as victory in Europe. However, the Tuskegee Airmen in WW2 faced several notable challenges, thriving despite these hardships.
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Who Were the Tuskegee Airmen?
Blacks serving in the AAF during WWII had the moniker the Tuskegee Airmen or Red Tails. This includes both air and ground crew personnel that were authorized by Secretary of the Army Henry L. Stimson.
During the time, the military was segregated, and mixing Blacks and whites was not a common practice. The Tuskegee Airmen activated the 99th Pursuit Squadron and excelled despite such discrimination.
The name comes from the fact that the Black units were based in Tuskegee, Alabama. It was here that fighters had training before deploying to French Morocco in April 1943 for combat in many different parts of Europe.
In February 1944, the 332nd Fighter Group joined the effort, commanded by Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.
Because of the time, these men were fighting for a country that refused to see them as equal, selflessly to stop the Axis from winning the war. There were also many logistical issues for the Airmen.
Despite all of this, the 992 pilots proved themselves on the battlefield as more than capable fighters. This would take shape in winning over 850 medals, taking down 261 enemy aircraft, and lying more than 1,570 missions as well as 15,530+ sorties.
Why Were the Tuskegee Airmen Important?
As the first Blacks to train and enlist in the Army Air Corps, their sacrifices paved the way for other aviators of color in and outside of the military.
Furthermore, these efforts were direct and intentional, matching other nonviolent efforts of the time. For example, the 477th Bombardment Group’s nonviolent demonstration at Freeman Field, Indiana, to desegregate the Officers’ club.
There was a need for a stronger force in the air at the time. The exploits of the Tuskegee Airmen proved to be effective and helped deliver victory for the Allies across many conflicts in Europe.
White servicemembers, legislators, and the general public were finally recognizing the 10,000 Blacks helping defend our nation. Their struggles were a positive step toward equality in the United States.
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Honoring Their Contribution and Impact
How many Tuskegee Airmen are still alive? The total number of Airmen still alive is unknown. This is because time waits for no one and as it moves forward, fewer and fewer of these heroes remain alive.
There are possibly fewer than ten Red Tails alive, which is why it’s important to continue their stories.
These are heroes who not only faced the horrors of war but were harassed and belittled. Keeping their legacy alive is important now more than ever. Fortunately, several official efforts are doing so. Plan your visit and honor the Tuskegee Airmen today:
- Tuskegee Airmen Museum at 11499 Conner St., Detroit, MI 48213
- Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site at 1616 Chappie James Ave., Tuskegee, AL 36083
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