Tuskegee Airmen

In honor of Veteran's Day we're revisiting this post that originally aired on 01/24/12:

Retired Tuskegee Airmen: Ivan Ware,
J. Byron Morris and William E. Broadwater

Formally known as the 332nd Fighter Group of the U.S. Army Air Corps, the Tuskegee Airmen were the first black military pilots and flight crews. While still subject to Jim Crow both in the USA and abroad, our soldiers defended the United States against Nazi Germany in World War II.

Their record was superb. With nearly 1000 fliers trained since their formation in 1941, they damaged or destroyed over 400 enemy aircraft and flew 1,578 missions. Four-hundred and fifty pilots served overseas, with ~150 receiving Distinguished Flying Crosses, and 66 killed in action.

In addition:

Captain Fred Hutchins

• 3 Distinguished Unit Citations:
• 99th Pursuit Squadron: for the capture of Pantelleria, Italy
• 99th Fighter Squadron: for successful air strikes against Monte Cassino, Italy
• 332d Fighter Group: for the longest bomber escort mission of WWII
• At least 1 Silver Star
• 14 Bronze Stars
• 744 Air Medals
• 8 Purple Hearts
• 950 railcars, trucks and other vehicles were destroyed
• 1 destroyer sunk

If you don't know the story of these airmen, take some time to familiarize yourself with their history through original videos and personal narratives. Read about the racism they faced before, during, and after their service in WWII.