W116 History

Sheila Taylor
History online

TUSGEKEE AIRMAN

In spite of adversity and limited opportunities, African Americans have played a significant role
in U.S. military history over the past 300 years. They were denied military leadership roles and
skilled training because many believed they lacked qualifications for combat duty. Before 1940,
African Americans were barred from flying for the U.S. military. Civil rights organizations and
the black press exerted pressure that resulted in the formation of an all African-American pursuit
squadron based in Tuskegee, Alabama, in 1941. They became known as the Tuskegee Airmen.
The Tuskegee Airmen were the only African-American pilots in combat in the Army Air Forces
during World War II. They were members of the 332d Fighter Group. It was during one of the
most racist times in America, when African-American pilots were not allowed to fly, but after
much needed help, and a law suit they decided to allow this group of young black pilots to fly a
mission to help eliminate the enemy the Germans. The Tuskegee Airman not only rose to the
occasions, but carried out their mission with great precisison, it was then that the world
recognized that this talented group of pilots were not only as good as anyone else, but quite c
On 2 July 1943, 99th Fighter Squadron pilots escorted B-25 medium bombers in an attack on
Castelvetrano, Italy. Enemy FW-190 fighters rose to intercept the bombers,capable of defeating
their enemys as they were trained and taught to do.
One of the major factors regarding the Tuskegee Airman was there ablilty to out maneuver their
enemies, they were not only smart and well trained but highly intelligent as well. One interesting
moment in history that occurred during this very important time period was on March 29, 1941

- Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt visited Tuskegee and met Charles "Chief" Anderson, the head of the
program, Mrs. Roosevelt asked, "Can Negroes really fly airplanes?" He replied: "Certainly we
can; as a matter of fact, would you like to take an airplane ride?" Over the objections of her
Secret Service agents, Mrs. Roosevelt accepted. The agent called President Roosevelt, who
replied, "Well, if she wants to do it, there's nothing we can do to stop her." She not only flew
with the Black pilot, but stated it was the best experience she ever had flying. The reason this
statement was so important in this research paper was that, it was important to note that this was
a time period during War world II, when blacks were treated as second class citizens, even in the
arm forces they were not givin the same rights, so the Tuskegee Airman were an exemplary
group of young men that played a major role in history during the War World II era.
Despite their achievements and accomplishments, the 99th found continued resistance and
prejudice here in the Mediterranean. The CO of the 33rd Fighter Group, Col. William Momyer,
complained about the performance of the 99th FS, compared their combat record to White
squadrons, alluded to lack of air discipline, and hinted at a lack of aggressiveness.
His comparisons overlooked the fact that the 99th did not operate at the front, but was stationed
hundreds of miles to the rear. Nor did he mention his exclusion of 99th FS pilots from briefing
sessions. But in those days, Blacks were easy targets, and in September of 1943, TIME magazine
ran an article that repeated Momyer's accusations. About all the pilots could do was perform their
jobs perfectly, and answer their critics with deeds, not words.
Reference:
"The Tuskegee Airmen and Eleanor Roosevelt". Archived from the original on 2008-06-25.
Retrieved 2008-06-26