FREE ESSAY ON TUSKEGEE AIRMEN

TUSKEGEE AIRMEN

War, war is a term meaning; a concerted effort or campaign to combat or put an end to
something considered injurious. In the dictionaries there aren't any words of neither
segregation, nor does it include that one race is inferior to others in times of war. Yet
the United States government, a government that fought against racism in World War II,
would not allow their armed forced to become integrated because they considered blacks,
lazy, and unable to comprehend the strategic plans during wartime. Many black men, and
women, traveled oversees to join the French Army where they learned hand to hand combat
and received pilot licenses. Eugene Bullard and Bessie Coleman were the pioneers of black
pilots, and the inspiration of the Tuskegee Airfield.
Booker T. Washington, graduate of Hampton Institute arrived at Tuskegee to organize a
normal school for the training of black teachers in 1881. According to Robert Jakeman,
author of Divided Skies, he stated "this aviation idea was only a fantastic dream in 1881
to Booker T. Washington". Booker T. Washington died in 1915, the trustees decided to make
Robert Russa Moton President of Tuskegee Institute. Between 1915 and 1927 Moton applied
new school training courses such as education, agriculture, and home economics, and in
1927 a collegiate level was organized. 
On May 22, 1934 the first airplane landed on the grounds of Tuskegee Institute. John C.
Robinson, an aspiring Chicago aviator, had chosen the occasion of his 10-year class
reunion to make a dramatic aerial return to his alma mater. This marked the beginning of
Tuskegee's first attempt to enter the air age. Moton was fascinated by aeronautics, and
also knew there were 100 black pilots that have been trained and licensed oversees. In
September 1934 Moton and administration supported plans for two black aviators to do a
Pan-American tour. Tuskegee receives support from several black newspapers, and one
white. 1934 marks a memorable year for aviation at Tuskegee, this is the year that they
become linked with a major aviation venture publicly. In 1936 Robinson returned from duty
with the Ethiopian Air Force, serving as an instructor. Robinson offered his services to
Moton and became Director of the School of Agriculture until an aviation program was
implemented. 
May 1939, 20 black pilots formed the National Airmen's Association of America (NAAA). The
goal of the NAAA was to change policies that limited their options as pilots by gaining
attention with daredevil tricks, and quick maneuvers. With the help of the Chicago
Defender, a black newspaper, they sponsored Chauncey Spencer and Dale White, two black
pilots, on a 10-city tour. While in Washington the pilots met Harry S. Truman a senator
from Missouri. They explained their efforts, and Truman helped put through legislation
that permitted black pilots to serve in the Civilian Pilot Training Program. The US
government implemented a Civilian Pilot Training Program headed by the Civil Aeronautics
Authority (CAA) in September 1939. This was brought on because of the fear of the war
spreading across the Atlantic waters. The CAA certified 220 US colleges & universities
for participation. . The goal was to produce 20,000 private pilots a year. The government
had a budget of $5,675,000 available to share for schooling 11,000 new fliers. Although
Truman helped the legislation push towards allowing blacks participate in the CPT
program, it took a lawsuit from a black student at Howard University to get the program
started at several predominantly black schools. 
US Congress enacted legislation to expand the Air Corps and train thousands in flying. On
April 3, 1939, it was approved as Public Law 18, "the primary legislative authorization
for the Air Corps expansion program." Public Law 18 authorized a maximum Air Corps
strength of 6,000 airplanes, a significant increase considering that the total air
strength came to only 1,401 in mid-1938. The law also authorized the army to expand its
pilot training program by permitting the use of facilities at civilian flying schools for
portions of the Air Corp flight-training curriculum. John C. Robinson proposed that the
CPT program for African Americans be brought to Tuskegee. They already had a Reserve
Officers' Training Corps program in place, which is officered, the first African American
first lieutenant, who is a graduate of West Point. They also have a mechanical school at
Tuskegee, which is headed by engineer G.L. Washington. John C. Robinson wrote many
proposals to Congress explaining why Tuskegee would be the site to have the CPT military
training program implemented at the Institute. He included in his letters information of
the results of his three-year effort to establish the school. Robinson also assembled
$19,000 of aviation equipment and had registered the school with the CAA. On October 15,
1939 Robert H. Hinckley, Chairman of the CAA, notified President Frederick D. Patterson,
who succeeded Moton when he retired in 1935, that Tuskegee had been approved for
participation in the CPT program. The reasons that were given was that, Tuskegee had the
facilities, engineering and technical instructor, as well as a climate for year-round
flying. 
By the spring of 1940, thanks to the CPT program, Tuskegee had the beginnings of an
aviation program. After a very shaky start, G.L. Washington's efficient and enthusiastic
work as Tuskegee's CPT coordinator, together with the creditable performance of his
students, had won the confidence of the CAA officials in Atlanta and Washington. By
April, after its success was assured, G.L. Washington turned his full attention to the
larger, more difficult problem of establishing a permanent flight training program at
Tuskegee, one that did not rely on subleased airfields, flight training contracts with
private operators, and borrowed ground instructors. Washington contacted the Alabama
Aviation Commission's director of airfield development, Asa Roundtree, Jr., and asked him
to visit Tuskegee and confer with institute officials and representatives of the city
regarding the establishment of an airport. Washington thought that the "City of Tuskegee
might be interested in joining with Tuskegee Institute in the development of a municipal
airport at a suitable location in the town of Tuskegee." He told Roundtree that he was
"certain that Tuskegee Institute would place at the disposal of the project any land that
it has available" and pleaded with him to allow time on his visit to examine Tuskegee's
land as well as possible locations in the town of Tuskegee. Roundtree and his engineer,
Owen Draper, examined the institute's property and concluded that it was suitable and
that the Aviation Commission would provide cost estimates on grading and construction. In
order to qualify for federal funding under the Works Progress Administration (WPA),
Roundtree suggested that the land be deeded to the Aviation Commission "for the fear of
future possible difficulties if deeded to the city of Tuskegee." By the end of 1940
Tuskegee Institute owned a small fleet of airplanes, had hired a cadre of flight and
ground school instructors, and offered a wide variety of flight training courses. 
Many African Americans were attending college at the time of World War II, an once the
aviation training program was admitted in civilian schools, black took the courses in
hopes of one day becoming a pilot. By early October 1940, ten secondary student's ground
and training had been completed. Campaigns by Congress, Tuskegee Institute, and NAACP
continue, to allow blacks into Army Air Corp. On December 18th, 1940, the United States
Air Corps sends plans for training and establishment of the black pursuit squadron at
Tuskegee. By January 6th, 1941, General Hap Arnold tells the Assistant Secretary of War
for Air "blacks could only be trained at Tuskegee." January 9th, 1941 there are plans for
formal approval of the 'Tuskegee Experiment,' by the Secretary of war, he stated, "the
era of all-white air force had ended, and the day of the segregated air force had
arrived." 
The Army Air Corps had in mind to form only one African American fighter unit, the 99th
fighter squadron, so they only needed 33 pilots. The idea was that it was "quota"; they
only wanted to train so many pilots. So, with thousands of volunteers, "the selectivity
and attrition rate was very high," quoted Lt. Col. Herbert "Gene" Carter, one of the
original 28 pilots to graduate from the Tuskegee program. The total of approximately 100
men would be trained annually, and also had 271 enlisted men already in training at
Chanute Field, Il, as ground crews for the 99th Squadron. These men were to be sent to
Tuskegee upon completion of their training bringing the total to 278. On March 21st, 1941
the 99th Pursuit Squadron was activated when the first black recruits arrived at Chanute
Field, Il. They were to begin training for ground and technical crew only. There was one
person that perhaps pushed the activation of the Aviation Cadet Training at Tuskegee Army
Flying School that was the April 19th, 1941 visit from Eleanor Roosevelt. Although her
secret service men told her it wasn't a good idea to fly with a 'Negro' she was
determined to see if blacks were able to fly. She asked the would-be director of the
program "Can Negroes really fly airplanes?" His rely was "Certainly we can; as a matter
of fact, would you like to take a ride in an airplane?" Mrs. Roosevelt sat in the back
seat of a Piper J-2 Cub; Chief Anderson took off and gave her a 30-minute tour of the
campus and surrounding areas. Upon landing, Mrs. Roosevelt turned to the Chief and
replied, "I guess Negroes really can fly." She returned to Washington and it announced a
short time after that Tuskegee Institute would be the site at which the first Black Air
Corps pilots would be trained.
The first class (42C) of black pilot trainees began Aviation Cadet Training at Tuskegee
Army Flying School on July 19th, 1941. The Tuskegee Army Airfield (TAAF) was officially
established on July 23rd, 1941. The Squadron received much criticism from politicians
that did not believe black pilots would be efficient in the war. There were many
reprimands for simple infractions, they never passed inspection, and commission was
handed out 'sometimes.' Some cadets fell victim to the hazing, and dropped out of the
program, others stayed for their pride would not let them quit. The Tuskegee airmen
represented more than just black pilots they were making history daily. Benjamin O. Davis
Jr., became the first black American to solo an aircraft as an officer in the US Army Air
Corps on September 2nd, 1941. Out of the original 13 cadets only five graduated from the
program, they were Benjamin O. Davis Jr., Lemuel R. Custis, Charles DeBrow, George S.
Roberts, and Mac Ross (from Dayton, Ohio). They graduated SE-42-C on March 6th, 1942.
Although they graduated and received their wings in 1942, they were not able to
participate in air combat. They were 'iced' for more than nine months. While they
continued their training new cadets were arrived and a new Squadron was formed, the
332nd. Although they had proved that they had knowledge of the planes in which they flew
and a strong background in the mechanical structure of the planes, the Secretary of War
and other Congress members felt as if they would not be significant in combat. There were
'studies' done that suggested that black pilots blacked out at high altitudes, their
blood level was low and unable to travel long distances. The officers that were in charge
of the TAAF training fought for the 99th, and 332nd to be allowed in combat. It wasn't
until June 1943, when the Squadron arrived in Africa that they saw any action. Their
duties consisted of bombing stable targets such as trains transporting weapons,
artillery, etc., Army Fields, and Army Bases. On January 11th, 1943 was the first time in
history that air power won the surrender of a ground target, and this was due to the
strike from the 99th Squadron. At this time in 1943, the black Army pilots still have not
earned respect from many of their white counterparts and much of the American nation. By
the end of 1945, the 99th, 332nd, and 100th, and 301st, had a total of 423 targets
destroyed, and 823 damaged targets making them very successful. They had more individual
missions than there white counterparts, whom were sent home after 50 missions, some black
pilots flew over 60. The airmen became known as the 'Red Wings' because they painted
their wings and nose the color bright red. This was to distinguish themselves from other
American fighter units. They began to become escorts for bomber planes, and were
considered 'angels' by the bomber pilots. Not once did they loose a bomber plane during
the time they escorted them.
Once the war ended, after the surrender of Germany and Japan, the 99th, 100th, and 301st
Squadrons returned home. Many of the white officers that returned home were greeted in
the street with cheers, hugs, and kisses from beautiful women. The scene was different
when the black pilots and crewmen returned to the home front; America still did not
recognize them as 'sufficient' combat pilots. Although many of the pilots received purple
hearts, legion of merit, silver star, solider metal, flying cross, bronze star, and air
metal and clusters. By the end of the war there were 992 pilots that graduated from
Tuskegee. 
The Tuskegee airmen not only opened the doors for black Americans, but they also told the
nation that 'we aren't going to be looked down upon any more.' These men and women stood
proud and strong through all of the hatred, and riots that ensued because of their
participation in the American Armed Forces. Not only did they change history for America
they changed history for the World; we must remember that they protected our bomber
planes that had targets to be destroyed. They were able to take out ground targets that
prevented thousands of weapons to be deployed to the enemy. These men looked prejudice
and hatred in the eye and stepped on it. They proved to the America that blacks are not
inferior, we are equal. 
Men of the 99th Fighter Squadron and of the 332nd Fighter Group, these were brave black
men who had to endure the rigors of pilot training and go on and win their wings against
the forces of home-grown bigotry. It wasn't until November 6th, 1998 that Tuskegee was
honored as an historic site by the United States government. President Clinton approved
Public Law 105-355, which established the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site at Moton
Field in Tuskegee, Alabama, to commemorate and interpret the heroic actions of the
Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. These men served their country proud and with open
arms, yet they were not accepted the same way. Many still do not know the story of our
Tuskegee Airmen, the lesson is not taught in school on any level, and there aren't any
national holidays. Our lonely eagles, how long will they continue to be forgotten?
FYI: Total Killed in Action: 66
Total Mission: 1578
Total Sorties: 15533 
Total Pilots sent oversees: 450
Bibliography
1. Divided Skies, The: Establishing Segregated Flight Training at Tuskegee, Alabama,
1934-1942, by Robert J. Jakeman. Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 1992
2. Tuskegee Airmen, The: the Men Who Changed a Nation, by Charles E. Francis. Boston, MA:
Branden Publishing Co., 1988 3rd ed., rec., up-dated and enlarged, Boston: Branden
Publishing Co., 1993
3. Double V: the Civil Rights Struggle of the Tuskegee Airmen, by Lawrence P. Scott,
William M. Womack, Sr. East Lansing: Michigan State press, 1994
4. Lonely Eagles: the Story of America's Black Air Force in World War II, by Robert A.
Rose. Los Angeles: Tuskegee Airmen, Western Region, 1976
5. Segregated Skies: All-Black Combat Squadrons of WWII, by Stanley Sandler. Washington,
D.C.: Smithsonian Institution Press, 1992
6. Booker T. Washington: the Wizard of Tuskegee, 1901-1915, by Louis R. Harlan. New York,
Oxford University Press, 1972