LINKS and RESEARCH:
Tuskegee Airmen Inc. (TAI)
Red Tail Project
Tuskegee Airmen of World War II National
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
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.
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 50 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.
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 50 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.