African Americans have been involved in every war since Crispus Attucks became the first killed in the American Revolution.

A War Department study in 1925 disparaged the “Negro” as a race that was incapable of leadership, command and their mental ability.

Black combat soldiers during World War II, including theTuskegee Airmen, thoroughly disproved these racist assumptions about their abilities with remarkable aerial achievements.

Tuskegee Airmen (Red Tails), were known for protecting the bombers, The 332 Fighter Group was requested by other squadrons because they would never leave their bombers assuring safe return.

By April of 1945 training at the all Negro Pilot Tuskegee, AL air base had concluded with 992 pilots and over 15,000 personnel in service. Additional training continued after the integration of the Army Air Forces to train pilots in the pipeline at bases such as“Stewart Army Air Base,” Newburgh NY.

Famous aviators such as Benjamin O. Davis, Daniel “Chappie” James, Coleman Young, Roscoe Brown, Percy Sutton and Lee A. Archer are some of the best known.

Movies such as “Red Tails” –Lucas films, “The Tuskegee Airmen” HBO Films made famous the legacy of these pioneering WW II heroes.

Today, 53 chapters from three regions make up the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc National organization.