What were the “two wars” that were fought by the tuskegee airmen during world war ii?

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Who are the Tuskegee Airmen? Did they all come from Tuskegee? Were they really the first African American fighter pilots in the US Army Air Corps during World War II (WWII)? These are just some of the questions that visitors ask at the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, the birthplace of the Tuskegee Airmen. Yes, the Tuskegee Airmen fought in WWII.

Yes, they were the first African American fighter pilots and crew in the US Army Air Corps, and no, they were not all from Tuskegee. The Tuskegee Airmen were trailblazers, pioneers and leaders in the fight against fascism and racism. These men were the crème of the crop, many of whom already had bachelors and masters degrees when they first began flight training in July of 1941. These men and women fought two wars and won both of them with skill and bravery.

Many visitors to the site think of the movie “Red Tails” or the movie “Tuskegee Airmen” when they initially visit the site. Both of those movies do a great job highlighting the accomplishments of the airmen, but the story and legacy of the airmen is so vast that it would be hard to put all of it into one movie. The legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen spans the time before, during, and after WWII.

All of the 994 Tuskegee Airmen pilots who graduated from advanced pilot training at Tuskegee Army Air Field went through a strenuous training process of eight weeks of primary training followed by another eighteen weeks of basic and advanced flight training. These men were up at 5:00 am and did not go to bed at night until after 10:00 pm, Monday through Saturday, for eight months. The airmen endured the pressure of being the first African American fighter pilots and being in the segregated American South, along with many other hurdles that they had to overcome, and in spite of those hurdles, they became legends.

Despite the many hours of flight training, and the enemies that they faced at home and away, the Tuskegee Airmen still have one of the best records out of any fighter group during WWII. The airmen flew over 180 combat sorties (missions) without losing a single bomber. When the airmen were first deployed during WWII they did not have the best or up to date airplanes to use. However, the crew chiefs, line chiefs, and mechanics were very creative in finding ways to fix the airplanes so they could head back out to complete the missions that they were assigned. This illustrates that the airmen weren’t only the pilots who flew combat missions overseas, but they were also the support men (overseas combat) and women (stateside preparations, civilian mechanics) who make up the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.

The legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen is about more than the airplanes they flew, their combat records, or their fame. It is about overcoming obstacles no matter how large or complex they are. The Tuskegee Airmen prescribed to the theory of winning a “Double Victory”, which meant winning the fight against fascism and racism. Many of the visitors that visit the Tuskegee Airmen site don’t initially make the connection between the success of the airmen and the role they played in the Civil Rights Movement. The Airmen, along with the various other African American units that fought during WWII not only demonstrated that African Americans were willing to fight for the freedom, but they were also willing to fight under strenuous (racial) conditions, with the hope that their actions would help to open doors for all Americans back home in the United States.

The Tuskegee Airmen helped to pave the way for African Americans to hold prominent positions in the United States military, but also in the United States as a whole. Our very own President Barack Obama has stated “My career in public service was made possible by the path heroes like the Tuskegee Airmen trail-blazed.” We here at the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site challenge you to think about what it means to be a trailblazer or a pioneer, what it means to stand for freedom and, what it means to contribute to change societal wrongs. We also challenge you to not only look at history as events that happened many years ago, but to look at historic events as the bridge that connects our past to the present that we live in today.

In 1941 the first group of African American solider started their journey to become pilots to fight for their county.  The Army Air Corp created an experimental, all Black group of pilots to be trained in Tuskegee, Alabama.  Interest was high and filled with excitement.  The men who came to Alabama would be part of the 99th pursuit squadron and become known as the Tuskegee Airmen.

What they did not know is that they would be leaving home to enter two wars; one against American enemies and one against discrimination, and injustice. They fought stereotypes, beliefs and attitudes that Blacks are not intellectually equal to their White counterparts. They didn’t stop until they were respected for their knowledge, skills, intellect and excellence.

The Tuskegee Airmen were not just pilots or only men. Everyone who helped keep the pilots in the air are all known as part of the legacy.

This podcast tells the story of their path, fighting in World War II and fighting injustice.  Their stories continue to be an inspiration today and their journey knocking down the walls of discrimination and integrating the military, will always be an example of courage and, bravery; an honored source of pride for years to come.  

The stories today are from:

Oscar (Wilk) Lawton Wilkerson – The Chicago Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen. Recording courtesy of the Pritzker Military Museum 

W.O. Smith – Atlanta Chapter

Larry Bussey – Atlanta Chapter

Valda Harris Montgomery – Daughter of Dr. Richard Harris – Tuskegee Airmen 

For more information 

TuskegeeAirmen.Org

nationalww2museum.org

DOI.gov

history.com 

When traveling, insure your travel investment with travel insurance.  Allianz Travel Insurance has options for a visit to learn more about the stories and places featured in this episode. Visit their website –

Information about the United States Mint Commemorative Quarter

In recognition of The Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site in Alabama

“The reverse (tails) design depicts a Tuskegee Airman pilot suiting up to join the fight during World War II with the Moton Field control tower in the background. The pilot looks upward with pride and confidence as two P-51 Mustangs pass overhead. The inscription “THEY FOUGHT TWO WARS” is arced across the top as a reference to the dual battles the Tuskegee Airmen fought–fascism abroad and racial discrimination at home.” – U.S. Mint

The 56th and final quarter released in 2021 as part of the America the Beautiful Commemorative Quarters

Artists information

Sculptor: Phebe Hemphill, Medallic Artist

Designer: Chris Costello, Artistic Infusion Program

USMint.gov

Travel to visit a museum

Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site – In Tuskegee, Alabama (Temporarily closed)
nps.gov

Pritzker Military Museum & Library – 104 S. Michigan Ave. Chicago Illinois
Their mission is to acquire and maintain an accessible collection of materials and to develop appropriate programs focusing on the citizen soldier in the preservation of democracy.

www.pritzkermilitary.org/

You can also learn more about The Holt Oral History Program: https://www.pritzkermilitary.org/whats_on/holt-oral-history-program

More than 200 veterans have trusted their story to the Museum & Library.  If you are a veteran and are ready to talk about your experience, please contact the museum. Sponsored by the Seedlings Foundation and in memory of Tuskegee Airman Coleman Thompson Holt, the Holt Oral History Program is dedicated to conserving the unique Stories of Service of the Citizen Soldier—not just high ranking officers, recognizable faces from history, or soldiers who have had their stories told already—but every man and woman, from all walks of life, who has served and sacrificed for our country. Veterans of all wars can share their stories. Contact: