Celebrating Black History Month

The Tuskegee Airmen: America’s First African-American Military Aviators

We continue our series celebrating Black History Month with our feature on the Tuskegee Airmen.

“The Tuskegee story is an important civil rights story of Americans who happen to be black, in service to their country, their family, and to their friends — in that order.”

 

— Col. Charles E. McGee, National President of the Tuskegee Airmen

The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of African-American military pilots and airmen and they were the first African-American military aviators in the U.S. Air Force.

During WWII, the U.S. military was segregated, and discrimination was rampant. Before this time, no African-American was permitted to serve in the U.S. military.  Eugene Bullard, whom we featured in last week’s edition of our ongoing Black History Month series, was rejected upon applying to serve in the United States. He ended up joining the French Foreign Legion.  Bessie Coleman, our first historical feature figure, was also rejected in America. She, too, went to France and became the first African_American female to earn an international pilot’s license. 

Black Americans wanted to serve their country yet were consistently denied and not permitted to enlist. For more than 20 years, civil rights leaders advocated for funding to train Black Americans to be pilots. In 1939, their efforts were finally realized when the Appropriations Bill Public Law 18 was passed, and in 1941, the 99th Pursuit Squadron became the first all African-American flying unit.

Educated at the Tuskegee Institute (now known as Tuskegee University), they served in North Africa, Sicily, and Italy. The Tuskegee Airmen were unrivaled by any other fighter group. They had one of the lowest loss records of all the escort fighter groups.  Awarded more than 850 medals, the Tuskegee Airmen flew 1,578 missions and 15,533 sorties, destroyed 273 German planes (other sources put this number at over 400 in total), damaged 1,000 rail cars, transport vehicles, and a German destroyer. In one event, the Tuskegee Airmen shot down three Germans in a single day. In total, there were more than 14,000 Tuskegee Airmen (to include ground personnel, mechanics, logistics, etc.) Of the 992 pilots, 66 were killed in action, and 32 became prisoners of war.  

“The character, courage, and commitment of the Tuskegee Airmen paved the way for their military comrades of every hue and color, race, and creed to serve their Nation in combat side by side. Their selfless sacrifices have taught each new generation of Americans the true meaning of the American spirit — Unity, Resolve and Freedom.”

— Charles S. Abell, Assistant Secretary of Defense

Despite their victories, they still faced racial disparity and bigotry. Many felt that Black Americans were inferior and not as skilled as their white counterparts. In one incident, Colonel William Momyer, a white fighter group commander of the 33rd Fighter Group, complained to the chain of command that the Black fighter squadron attached to his group was underperforming. He wanted the group to be taken out of flight line combat. As a result of his complaint, the War Department initiated an analysis to compare the Black fighter squadron with the white fighter squadrons. Their investigation revealed the Black fighter squadron’s skills were as deft as their white counterparts.

Many of the Tuskegee Airmen had long and successful careers in the military. Notable figures from the original first class of Tuskegee Airmen include Benjamin O. Davis Jr., who became the first African-American General, and George S. “Spanky” Rogers, who became the first African American officer to command a racially integrated Air Force. Other prominent airmen include Daniel “Chappie” James Jr., who became the first African-American four-star general, and Colonel Charles McGee, who had the longest active-duty career by any Air Force fighter pilot history. Colonel McGee celebrated his 101st birthday in December of 2020. 

In 2007, President George W. Bush awarded the Congressional Gold Medal to the approximately 300 surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen for their Air Force history achievements. The award came 60 years after they bravely fought to defend their country, despite continued racism upon returning home. Their unwavering perseverance contributed to racial integration in the armed forces, paving the way for equality in the U.S. military.

In 2016, Willie Rogers, the oldest surviving member of the original Tuskegee Airmen, passed away at the age of 101. In 1942, Willie Rogers was drafted into the Army, serving a supporting logistical role. He was shot down twice by German soldiers, recovering in London. Rogers was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal along with his fellow airmen in 2007, but never told his family he was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen until 2012.  A humble man, Rogers felt there were others more deserving than he. 

Other articles you may like in this series:

Introduction:  Black History Month

Bessie Coleman:  First African-American Female to Earn an International Pilot’s License

Eugene Bullard:  First African-American Military Pilot

 

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