Tuskegee Airmen
With the realities of war, the federal government reluctantly established The 66th Air Force Flying School at the Tuskegee Institute. Blacks would consider this a flawed compromise but welcomed the opportunity to prove their ability and commitment to the war efforts. Blacks have been requesting equal opportunity for job positions throughout the military. So, Tuskegee would be considered a start. 1939 was the establishment of an aviation course at Tuskegee. This aviation course was a direct result of blacks crusade to have a much bigger role in the nations military. Prior to this most blacks in the military held positions such as cooks, cleaning services, and drivers. A major component to this crusade was admitting blacks into Air Corps. The Air Corps drew its strength from three important sources, blacks high regard for military service, increase in enthusiasm for the black public in aviation, and the emergence of civil rights as a national issue during the 1930's. In late 1940 military began to make plans for a segregated air unit and by early 1941 the secretary of war approves plan to establish 99th Pursuit Squadron and base it near Tuskegee. Tuskegee Institute, Founded in 1881
They sank two enemy destroyers with only bullets. The men of the class became the cadets that would fill the 99th squadron, which became the first black squadron of the Army Air Corps. During the Battle of Anzio on January 27, 1944 the 99th spotted a group of German fighter planes attacking ships near the beach of Naples. The weather improved in February which led them to 39 missions. , continues today as the Tuskegee University. Most of the trainees were college graduates and it included a policeman, an army officer, a factory inspector, and several young men fresh out of college. In nine months to a year, they had mastered skills the Air Force said that would take five years to master. Because of this one mission Colonel Davis received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his leadership. In a full dress ceremony with the 15th Air Force band and troops passing in the review, four pilots were presented with the Distinguished Flying Cross. The mission was to escort B-17 and B-24 bombers to destroy factories in Munich, Germany and was led by Colonel Davis. Their first assignment was to patrol Italy's western coast. Also the same day Lieutenant Colonel Davis received a letter from the area commander, Colonel J. Eisenhower, who was commander of American forces in Northern Africa at the time, visited the squadron and praised Hall for an excellent job.
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