Black Fighter Pilots Became Heroes During WWII

Tuskegee Airmen Were Pioneers in American History

by Nuchee Vang, age 12


The early 20th century was a time in U.S. history when racism and discrimination was at its height. Because of the color of their skin, some people were treated like animals. Despite this culture, groups like the Tuskegee Airmen, worked tirelessly to break down barriers for African Americans.
The Tuskegee Airmen were the first group of African American fighter pilots to participate in World War II. They became known as the Tuskegee Airmen because they trained at the Army Corps (known as the U.S. Air Force) base in Tuskegee, Alabama. The success of this unit was the key in President Harry Truman’s 1948 decision to eliminate racial segregation in the military.
General Benjamin Oliver Davis, Jr., founded and led the Tuskegee Airmen throughout World War II. He commanded the all-black squadron that began training in 1941 at the request of the request of the Roosevelt Administration.  He was a graduate of West Point, a military reservation in New York, the site of the U.S. Military Academy. Davis became the first three-star black general.
The squadron began flying missions in 1943, during the heart of World War II.  Their missions included shooting down enemy aircraft, bombing enemy power sources, trains and barges, and escorting bomber groups on their missions. The Tuskegee Airmen were noted as one of the Army Air Forces' most successful and decorated escort groups.
In 1972, veteran Tuskegee Airmen founded Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., to assist minority students in developing an interest in aviation and aerospace careers.
The film, Red Tails, tells the heroic story of the Tuskegee Airmen. The film was released in January 2012 and was largely produced by filmmaker George Lucas.

[Source: kids.britannica.com ]







like the article good gob – Victoria Ruiz , Sennett Middle school (2016-05-19 18:16)
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