Tuskegee Airmen

1. “You can’t turn your back on your own country. We’re as patriotic as anybody else. And we wanted our chance to prove that we could do something.”- Lt. Col. George, USAF (Ret.) Pilot, 332nd Fighter Group

2. Tuskegee Airmen

3. Red Tails • Feature film produced by George Lucas The Tuskegee Airmen, who flew combat missions in World War II, were known by the nickname “Red Tails” for the distinctive red paint on the tails of their P-51’s.

4. Double Victory • A History Channel companion documentary to Red Tails that tells how the African American servicemen fought a war on two fronts: they helped the world triumph against Facismabroad and they fought valiantly for racial justice and equality at home.

5. Click to see video “Double Victory Documentary” • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBuxFuOCCCA

6. What types of discrimination do you think African Americans faced in the military? • Inferior equipment • Denied higher ranks • Inferior living conditions • Sent to the front of the battle lines • Scrutinized for their performance • Lower pay • Less desirable jobs • Denied jobs that were seen as more difficult or skilled - PILOT

7. During World War II, the U.S. military was racially segregated. Reflecting American society and law at the time, most black soldiers and sailors were restricted to labor battalions and other support positions. An experiment in the U.S. Army Air Forces, however, showed that given equal opportunity and training, African-Americans could fly in, command and support combat units as well as anyone. The USAAF's black fliers, the so-called "Tuskegee Airmen," served with distinction in combat and directly contributed to the eventual integration of the U.S. armed services, with the U.S. Air Force leading the way.

8. Tuskegee Institute, a black college founded in Alabama in 1881 by Booker T. Washington, participated in the Roosevelt administration's pilot training program. Tuskegee graduated its first civilian licensed pilots in May 1940 and was the only source of black military pilots in WWII. • Maj. George S. “Spanky” Roberts at the controls of a P-51 Mustang. Roberts was the first African American accepted for U.S. Army pilot training. He later commanded the 99th Fighter Squadron and the 332nd Fighter Group. (U.S. Air Force photo)

9. Click on the website to view “Black Wings: The Tuskegee Red-Tail Angels” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qMPLpExgkGg

10. When the war in Europe ended, the 332nd Fighter Group had shot down 112 enemy aircraft and destroyed another 150 on the ground. Also, they knocked out more than 600 railroad cars, and sank one destroyer and 40 boats and barges. Their losses included approximately 150 killed in combat or in accidents. During the war, Tuskegee had trained 992 pilots and sent 450 overseas. By any measure, the Tuskegee experiment was a resounding success.

11. Click the website to see “Tuskegee Airmen – In their own words!”http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4C7IEZihHoE

12. A survey taken in 1942 revealed that 20% of African Americans said that life under Hitler would be no worse than the racist conditions they experienced in the U.S. Despite these feelings, why do you think so many African Americans decided to pursue positions in the Armed Forces?

13. The Tuskegee Airmen of the 99th Fighter Squadron, the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Medium Bombardment Group proved themselves equal to white fliers and support troops. They disproved assumptions that African-Americans were unsuited to the rigors of serving in a highly technical combat arm such as the USAAF. But despite proving themselves, black airmen still were segregated. The Tuskegee experiment made it obvious to many leaders, President Harry S. Truman in particular, that segregation by race in the military -- in addition to being morally wrong -- was simply inefficient and should be ended.

14. Truman's executive order 9981, of July 26, 1948, directed that the "highest standards of democracy" were essential in the armed services, and that "there shall be equality of treatment and opportunity for all persons .. without regard to race, color, religion or national origin." The U.S. Air Force, having become a separate service in 1947 and benefiting from the experience of the Tuskegee Airmen, became the leader in integrating the military. The USAF was the first service to erase the color line, thanks largely to the pioneering efforts and courageous legacy of the African-American airmen who showed their worth in combat in WWII. Lt. Gen. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. (1912-2002) became the USAF's first African American general officer in 1954. He retired as a lieutenant general in 1970 and received his fourth star in 1998.

15. How would you apply the following LEARNER PROFILES to the Tuskegee Airmen? • PRINCIPLED? • THINKERS? • RISK-TAKERS?

16. Activities The NAACP joined the campaign for” Double Victory” at home and abroad, creating posters to help encourage African Americans to get involved in the effort to win victory in WWII and equality on the homefront. Complete one of the following Design your own historic Double V poster. Write a public service announcement supporting the Double V movement. Write a letter to one of the Tuskegee Airmen expressing your feelings about their bravery, service, and contributions.