In early 1941, the US War Department reluctantly began to accept African Americans candidates for pilot training in the US Army Air Corps (later the US Army Air Forces). However, military authorities insisted that black pilots serve in racially segregated units. The result was the 99th Pursuit Squadron, America’s first all-black flying unit. It was eventually joined by three more squadrons, to form the 332nd Fighter Group, better known as the Tuskegee Airmen after the site of their training. Despite many racist roadblocks, the black flyers went on to prove themselves in the ultimate crucible of combat, and ended World War II as one of the country’s most successful and decorated fighter escort groups. Below are eighteen fascinating facts about America’s black airmen of WWII.
18. The Belief that Blacks Were Not Suitable for Combat
African Americans played significant roles in America’s military history. They did so despite the adversity, limited opportunities, and open hostility that often faced when they tried to serve their country. Particularly from higher ups who believed that blacks were racially unsuited for command or combat duty. Accordingly, military authorities designed and implemented policies to deny blacks leadership opportunities and training. An example was the widespread conviction in military aviation circles, before and throughout WWII, that blacks were manifestly unsuited for aerial combat. Notwithstanding, African American pilots were trained and organized into racially segregated all-black squadrons that were sent to serve overseas. Known as the Tuskegee Airmen, they flew P-40 Warhawks, Bell P-39 Airacobras, Republic P-47 Thunderbolts, and finally, the planes with which they became most closely associated, P-51 Mustangs.
