LINKS and RESEARCH:
Tuskegee Airmen Inc. (TAI)
Red Tail Project
Tuskegee Airmen of World War II
National Park Service
Ace Pilots
Logical Thinker
Ron Spriggs Exhibit
History of the 99th Squadron
History of the 100th Squadron
Tuskegee Airmen Inc. (TAI)
Red Tail Project
Tuskegee Airmen of World War II
National Park Service
Ace Pilots
Logical Thinker
Ron Spriggs Exhibit
History of the 99th Squadron
History of the 100th Squadron
About Us
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FACT SHEET:
Due to the rigid pattern of racial segregation that prevailed in the United States
during World War II, 966 Black military aviators were trained at an isolated
training complex near the town of Tuskegee, Alabama, and at Tuskegee
Institute, Four Hundred and fifty Black fighter pilots under the command of
Colonel Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., (who was later to become the U.S. Air Force’s
first Black Lt General) fought in the aerial war over North Africa, Sicily, and
Europe: flying P-40, P-39, P-47, and P-51 type aircraft. These gallant men flew
15,553 sorties and completed 1578 missions with the 12th Tactical U.S. Army
Air Corps and the 15th Strategic U. S. Army Air Corps.
They were called the “Schwartze Vogelmenschen” (Black Birdmen) by the
Germans who both feared and respected them. White American bomber crews
reverently referred to them as “The Black Redtail Angels” because of the
identifying red paint on their tail assemblies and because of their reputation for
not losing bombers to enemy fighters as they provided fighter escort to
bombing missions over strategic targets in Europe. The 99th Fighter Squadron,
which had already distinguished itself over North Africa, Sicily and Anzio, was
joined by three more Black squadrons – the 100th, 301st, and the 302nd –
redesignated as the 332nd Fighter Group. From Italian bases they destroyed
enemy rail traffic, coastal surveillance stations and hundreds of vehicle in air-to-
ground strafing missions. Sixty-six of these pilots were killed in aerial combat
while another 32 were shot down and captured as prisoners of war.
These Black airmen came home with 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses,
numerous Legions of Merit, and The Red Star of Yugoslavia. For every Black
pilot there were ten other civilian or military Black men and women on ground
support duty. Many of these men and women remained in the military service
during the post-World War II era and spearheaded the integration of the
armed forces of the United States with the integration into the U.S. Air Force in
1949. Their successes and achievements are evidenced by the elevation of
three of these pioneers to flag rank: the late General Daniel “Chappie” James,
our nation’s first Black Four-Star General; Lt. General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.,
USAF, retired; and Major General Lucius Theus, USAF, retired. In addition,
major achievements are attributable to many of those who returned to civilian
life and earned positions of leadership and respect as businessmen, corporate
executives, religious leaders, lawyers, doctors, bankers, educators and political
leaders.
THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN ORGANIZATION
Nearly 30 years of anonymity ended in 1972 with the founding of TUSKEGEE
AIRMEN, INC., (TAI) at Detroit, Michigan. Organized as a non-political, non-
military and non-profit national entity, TAI exists primarily to motivate and
inspire young Americans to become participants in our nation’s society and it’s
democratic process, to support young men and women pursuing excellence,
with special attention to those interested in careers in aviation or aerospace,
and to keep alive the history of achievement and knowledge of the importance
of the original Tuskegee Airmen. There are 53 chapters of TAI located in major
cities and military installations throughout the United States and the Far East.
The membership of TAI consists of veterans, civilians, and active duty officers
and enlisted personnel from all branches of the military, and is open to anyone
interested in supporting the goals and objectives of the national organization
and it's chapters.
Due to the rigid pattern of racial segregation that prevailed in the United States
during World War II, 966 Black military aviators were trained at an isolated
training complex near the town of Tuskegee, Alabama, and at Tuskegee
Institute, Four Hundred and fifty Black fighter pilots under the command of
Colonel Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., (who was later to become the U.S. Air Force’s
first Black Lt General) fought in the aerial war over North Africa, Sicily, and
Europe: flying P-40, P-39, P-47, and P-51 type aircraft. These gallant men flew
15,553 sorties and completed 1578 missions with the 12th Tactical U.S. Army
Air Corps and the 15th Strategic U. S. Army Air Corps.
They were called the “Schwartze Vogelmenschen” (Black Birdmen) by the
Germans who both feared and respected them. White American bomber crews
reverently referred to them as “The Black Redtail Angels” because of the
identifying red paint on their tail assemblies and because of their reputation for
not losing bombers to enemy fighters as they provided fighter escort to
bombing missions over strategic targets in Europe. The 99th Fighter Squadron,
which had already distinguished itself over North Africa, Sicily and Anzio, was
joined by three more Black squadrons – the 100th, 301st, and the 302nd –
redesignated as the 332nd Fighter Group. From Italian bases they destroyed
enemy rail traffic, coastal surveillance stations and hundreds of vehicle in air-to-
ground strafing missions. Sixty-six of these pilots were killed in aerial combat
while another 32 were shot down and captured as prisoners of war.
These Black airmen came home with 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses,
numerous Legions of Merit, and The Red Star of Yugoslavia. For every Black
pilot there were ten other civilian or military Black men and women on ground
support duty. Many of these men and women remained in the military service
during the post-World War II era and spearheaded the integration of the
armed forces of the United States with the integration into the U.S. Air Force in
1949. Their successes and achievements are evidenced by the elevation of
three of these pioneers to flag rank: the late General Daniel “Chappie” James,
our nation’s first Black Four-Star General; Lt. General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.,
USAF, retired; and Major General Lucius Theus, USAF, retired. In addition,
major achievements are attributable to many of those who returned to civilian
life and earned positions of leadership and respect as businessmen, corporate
executives, religious leaders, lawyers, doctors, bankers, educators and political
leaders.
THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN ORGANIZATION
Nearly 30 years of anonymity ended in 1972 with the founding of TUSKEGEE
AIRMEN, INC., (TAI) at Detroit, Michigan. Organized as a non-political, non-
military and non-profit national entity, TAI exists primarily to motivate and
inspire young Americans to become participants in our nation’s society and it’s
democratic process, to support young men and women pursuing excellence,
with special attention to those interested in careers in aviation or aerospace,
and to keep alive the history of achievement and knowledge of the importance
of the original Tuskegee Airmen. There are 53 chapters of TAI located in major
cities and military installations throughout the United States and the Far East.
The membership of TAI consists of veterans, civilians, and active duty officers
and enlisted personnel from all branches of the military, and is open to anyone
interested in supporting the goals and objectives of the national organization
and it's chapters.
