About the Topic
During the second World War, African Americans were still struggling to endure the harsh prejudice against them. Up to then, the American army had denied them entry due to nation-wide racism, but as forward-thinking national groups and congressmen pressured the army to form an African American regiment, the army's stance deteriorated and they gave in to the demand. Though the army assigned the 99th, 100th, 301st, and 302nd Pursuit Squadrons, which made up the 332nd Fighter Group, for African Americans to operate, they also produced an experimental training facility in Tuskegee, Alabama that was "Designed to fail." Double standards and extreme disrespect were inflicted on the hopeful Airmen, but they overcame those obstacles to become arguably the best aviators of the U. S. Army Air Corp. And, due to the Tuskegee Airmen's bravery and perseverance, the prejudice that was directed towards African Americans originally, slowly began to melt away.
Interesting Facts
- Only three of the original 996 Tuskegee Airmen became generals. Their names were Daniel James, Benjamin O. Davis Jr., and Lucius Theus.
- The Tuskegee Airmen won, in all, more than 850 awards. These included 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 8 Purple Hearts, 14 Bronze Stars, 744 Air Medals, and 3 distinguished unit citations.
- White American pilots could only fly 52 missions, but due to lack of replacements, the African American aviators flew up to 100. In all, the Tuskegee Airmen flew 311 missions.
- The common myth that the Tuskegee Airmen had "never lost a bomber" is false. In fact, 25 bombers were lost to enemy fighters. This, however, is still an extremely low number compared to the total "cost" of the war.
Importance to History
The era of the Tuskegee Airmen was from the early to mid 1940's and was also the era of World War II, which started in 1939 and ended in 1945. The Tuskegee Airmen were a key piece of the puzzle in WWII because without them, America would not have succeeded the way that it did. The Tuskegee Airmen were not just important in the war, but their popularity started unloading the discrimination from the African Americans' bags in America. People were starting to realize that everybody is the same on the inside, no matter the skin color, and that if hard work is put into practice, success will follow. Many believe that if the Tuskegee Airmen had not had the courage to volunteer in WWII and follow through with their brutal training, African Americans in America would have lugged prejudice wherever they went for a much longer time.
Selected Pictures
This is a picture of a famous P-51 Mustang fighter plane. These planes were used by the Tuskegee Airmen during WWII.
This is a poster that encouraged people to buy war bonds and support the troops. This was probably directed towards African Americans because many African Americans were proud of the Tuskegee Airmen and therefore, wanted to help the war.
This is a photo taken of the Tuskegee Airmen sitting/standing by one of their planes.
This picture is of some of the Tuskegee Airmen standing/sitting in front of a plane. It includes some of their names and where they were from.
Research
1.) "History of The Tuskegee Airmen." History of The Tuskegee Airmen. N.p., n.d. Web. 07 Mar. 2013. (http://www.tuskegeetopgun.com/tuskegee_airmen.php)
2.) "Tuskegee Airmen, Inc." Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2013.
(http://www.tuskegeeairmen.org/)
3.) "Tuskegee Airmen." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 03 June 2013. Web. 11 Mar. 2013.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuskegee_Airmen)
4.) "The Tuskegee Airmen: 5 Fascinating Facts." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 20 Jan. 2012. Web. 11 Mar. 2013. (http://www.history.com/news/the-tuskegee-airmen-5-fascinating-facts)
5.) "Celebrate Freedom -- Tuskegee Airmen 60th Anniversary." Celebrate Freedom -- Tuskegee Airmen 60th Anniversary. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013. (http://www.knowitall.org/tuskegeeairmen/content/facts.html)
6. "Facts About the Tuskegee Airmen." American Renaissance. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
(http://www.amren.com/news/2012/01/facts-about-the-tuskegee-airmen/)
7. Bing Images
2.) "Tuskegee Airmen, Inc." Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2013.
(http://www.tuskegeeairmen.org/)
3.) "Tuskegee Airmen." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 03 June 2013. Web. 11 Mar. 2013.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tuskegee_Airmen)
4.) "The Tuskegee Airmen: 5 Fascinating Facts." History.com. A&E Television Networks, 20 Jan. 2012. Web. 11 Mar. 2013. (http://www.history.com/news/the-tuskegee-airmen-5-fascinating-facts)
5.) "Celebrate Freedom -- Tuskegee Airmen 60th Anniversary." Celebrate Freedom -- Tuskegee Airmen 60th Anniversary. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013. (http://www.knowitall.org/tuskegeeairmen/content/facts.html)
6. "Facts About the Tuskegee Airmen." American Renaissance. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
(http://www.amren.com/news/2012/01/facts-about-the-tuskegee-airmen/)
7. Bing Images