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Who Were the Tuskegee Airmen?
The Tuskegee Airmen were a group of pilots and crew most well known for their contributions during World War II. From 1941-1949, the Tuskegee Experience trained and sent out over one thousand pilots in the country’s first all-Black airmen crew. During World War II, this group of pilots, the 332nd fighter group, was comprised of four fighting squadrons: 99th, 100th, 301st, 302nd. Their purpose was to serve as escorts for the United States and allied fighter pilots, shooting down enemy fire to provide a clear path for the bomber units.
Over the course of the war, the Tuskegee Airmen flew over 3,000 missions. They shot down a recorded 112 enemy aircrafts. They had the lowest losses of any escort team in the country.
World War II lasted from September 1, 1939 to September 2, 1945. The United States entered the war after the December 7, 1941 bombing of Pearl Harbor in Hawaii by Japanese armed forces. This act is what triggered President Franklin D. Roosevelt to sign the racist Executive Order 9066, which forced Japanese Americans into interment camps.
Read more: They Called Us Enemy
The story of the Tuskegee Airmen, or “Red Tails” as they were known during that time due to the distinct red paint on the tail of their planes, would be incredible enough on its own – but remember that Executive Order 9981, which ends segregation in the United States military was not signed by President Harry Truman until 1948. This means that for the entirety of World War II, the all-Black Tuskegee Airmen were kept separate from the white members of the military. They had to fight racism to prove their worthiness to be on the front lines of the military action, and continued to fight racism throughout the war from their white counterparts.
And, of course, some had to also battle sexism. Sergeant Amelia Jones was a member of the 99th Pursuit Squadron for two years.
Read more: The United States v. Jackie Robinson
Unfortunately, the Executive Order 9981 only ended segregation, not racism. The G.I. bill meant to provide assistance to the members of the military for their service was denied to many Black servicemen.
On March 29, 2007, the Tuskegee Airmen as a group were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal. And on January 20, 2025, President Trump ordered an end to the federal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs, removing the stories of these incredible people from Air Force training programs.
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You Can Fly: The Tuskegee Airmen by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Jeffery Boston Weatherford
Tuskegee Airmen: American Heroes by Lynn M. Homan and Thomas Reilly, illustrated by Rosalie M. Shepherd
Unlawful Orders: A Portrait of Dr. James B. Williams, Tuskegee Airmen, Surgeon, and Activist by Barbara Binns
Red Tail Captured, Red Tail Free: Memoirs of a Tuskegee Airman and POW by Retired United States Air Force Lt. Colonel Alexander Jefferson with Lewis H. Carlson
