This week I would like to talk about the Tuskegee Airmen. On paper, the Tuskegee Airmen were the first Black military aviators in the US Army Air Corps (AAC), the precursor of the U.S. Air Force. During World War II, the 332nd Fighter Group flew in hundreds of missions and amassed several medals and honors. While their success is noted in history, it was the struggle the group faced as African Americans that made them legendary.
If you wouldn’t mind traveling back to the 1940s with me for a couple of lines I would like to tell the story of not just one person, but of a people. For the longest time due to constraints that I will briefly touch on in this article African Americans were not allowed to join the ranks of the military as equals to their white counterparts. They were often labeled as not intelligent enough or lacking the capacity to even learn the higher level positions, such as pilots and squadron commanders within the Army. Prior to the creation of the 332nd any attempts for African Americans to become pilots were squashed by commanding officers and traditional thought processes. But something changed during World War II.
In 1939, after a two-decade push from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and union representatives, congress passed a new Appropriations Bill–Public Law 18. The wording of this law might shock some people as it approved the segregation of black and white military members and sanctioned several checkpoints each black applicant would have to pass in order to be qualified for flight. However, these Jim Crow laws were nothing new to the determined Americans that wanted to serve their country. In fact, African Americans have had to navigate such laws since the late 1850s. Some of the Tuskegee Airmen actually credit these laws (in a satirical way) for preparing them for the selection process. After announcing the creation of the unit, several qualified applicants not only applied but completed the selection process. These pilots-in-training began their studies at locations around the country. It would take another two years but on June 2, 1943 the 99th were called to action during Operation Corkscrew. During this mission they were tasked to clear sea lanes in preparation of the Allied invasion of Sicily. After their success on this mission they began to receive more assignments leading them to become one of the most successful units in the Army Air Corps. As mentioned earlier, their success netted them impressive records and even the rumor that during their hundreds of escort missions they never lost a bomber.
While their military success created an aura of confidence and swagger amongst their peers, it was still the 1940s. After the war ended, many pilots and support personnel faced the same struggles all African Americans faced during the time; segregation, racism and unequal opportunities. However, thanks to the service these brave men and women showed during the war it began to break down the walls that had once kept units apart based on the pigment of their skin. As the son of a Veteran who served in the United States of America Air Force for over 27 years, I just want to say thank you for your service. The unfair treatment you endured positioned people of all backgrounds and creeds to have the opportunity to serve the nation they love.
Sadly, all the members of the Tuskegee Airmen have passed away; however, their stories of bravery and heroism will live on forever.
Miles Rice, Exercise Physiologist