The Experience of African Americans During WW2: Tuskegee Airmen

Blacks and the War

During the war American conservatives were concerned with many of Roosevelt's policies. Among these was the growing power of labor unions, rising deficits, economic regimentation of the economy and the fear that American blacks would use the conflict to challenge the system of segregation. As World War 2 approached, blacks were determined to use the conflict to improve their position in society. When A. Philip Randolph threatened to march 100,000 blacks on Washington to insist defense industries integrate their work forces, Roosevelt who feared violence and political embarrassment was able to buy him off with the establishment of the Fair Employment Practices Commission. Its purpose was to investigate the discrimination against blacks in war industries. This was an important step toward a government commitment to racial equality. As the war progressed the government also took steps towards integrating the previously entirely segregated armed forces. Blacks who were traditionally limited to menial assignments, and barred altogether from the Marine Corps and army air force took great steps forwards within the military during the war. Due to manpower constraints, blacks were needed in greater numbers for more important assignments. By the end of the war 700,000 black servicemen were enlisted, some serving in integrated training camps and others alongside white sailors on ships. However, integration was not without its difficulties. At some integrated army bases such as Fort Dix, riots broke out when blacks protested having to serve in segregated divisions while whites continued to discriminate against blacks in the armed forces until after the war. Perhaps the greatest change that occurred for blacks during the war was for their economic realities. Because of the number of factory jobs available in the war plants some 6.6 million southern black farmers moved during the war. Five million moved within the south, but another 1.6 million moved north to booming war plants. In the South migration produced white resentment and suspicion, while in the North, migration produced more severe tensions. In Detroit in 1943 when black families began moving into a Polish district a race riot erupted which killed thirty four people. Whites who moved from the South and were accustomed to the blacks in a certain position within society joined with white workers in the North who were afraid of job competition from the blacks to make the transition north a difficult one for blacks. However, blacks faced the challenge and organized a group entitled CORE (Congress of Racial Equality) in 1942 to mobilize popular resistance to discrimination. The group organized sit-ins and demonstrations at theaters and restaurants and in 1944 won a victory which forced Washington D.C. restaurants to serve blacks.

The Experience of African Americans During WW2: Tuskegee Airmen The Tuskegee Airmen were dedicated, determined young men who enlisted to become America's first black military airmen, at a time when there were many people who thought that black men lacked intelligence, skill, courage and patriotism.

The first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, put a spotlight on the Tuskegee program when she visited the Tuskegee Institute in 1941. Charles A. Anderson, a pilot now known as “the father of Black aviation,” was its chief civilian flight instructor. At Roosevelt’s request, he took her on an aerial tour and the pair spent 40 minutes flying over the countryside together. The resulting news photograph of Roosevelt and Anderson helped to dispel the notion that Black Americans were unfit to fly aircraft—and encouraged many to apply to the program.

From 1942 through 1946, nine hundred and ninety-four pilots graduated at TAAF, receiving commissions and pilot wings. Black navigators, bombardiers and gunnery crews were trained at selected military bases elsewhere in the United States. Mechanics were trained at Chanute Air Base in Rantoul, Illinois until facilities were in place in 1942 at TAAF.

Four hundred and fifty of the pilots who were trained at TAAF served overseas in either the 99th Pursuit Squadron (later the 99th Fighter Squadron) or the 332nd Fighter Group. The 99th Fighter Squadron trained in and flew P-40 Warhawk aircraft in combat in North Africa, Sicily and Italy from April 1943 until July 1944 when they were transferred to the 332nd Fighter Group in the 15th Air Force. They Tuskegee Airmen were not called such during WW2. Only after a book released in 1955 was the name coined.

The outstanding record of black airmen in World War II was accomplished by men whose names will forever live in hallowed memory. Each one accepted the challenge, proudly displayed his skill and determination while suppressing internal rage from humiliation and indignation caused by frequent experiences of racism and bigotry, at home and overseas.

One man's story

Robert M. Glass
Captain, US Air Force
December 17, 1920 - January 24, 1955

Already a qualified pilot, Robert Marshall Glass was one of the highly skilled and committed young men to join the 332nd Fighter Group of the Tuskegee Airmen. Glass was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he attended public school. He graduated from Carnegie Institute of Technology with a degree in mechanical engineering.
Glass signed up at Tuskegee Army Air Field on January 28, 1943, and attended cadet school at Tuskegee. Charles "Chief" Anderson was one of his flying instructors at Tuskegee and Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., was his commanding officer.
Glass served his country in World War II and during the Korean conflict. He was a senior pilot with the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, EAME Campaign medal, American Campaign Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation and the National Defense Service medal. His last duty station was at Wright Air Development Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. At the time of his death, Captain Glass was at the Air Command Staff School, Maxwell Air Force Base. His name is inscribed on the Memorial Honor Roll of the Air Force, Air Force Aid Society, Washington, D.C.

In Battle
The 99th Fighter Squadron was sent to North Africa in April 1943 for combat duty. They were joined by the 100th, 301st, and 302nd African-American fighter squadrons. Together these squadrons formed the 332nd fighter group. The transition from training to actual combat wasn't always smooth given the racial tensions of the time. However, the Airmen overcame the obstacles posed by segregation. Under the able command of Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., the well-trained and highly motivated 332nd flew successful missions over Sicily, the Mediterranean, and North Africa. Bomber crews named the Tuskegee Airmen "Red-Tail Angels" after the red tail markings on their aircraft. Also known as "Black" or "Lonely Eagles," the German Luftwaffe called them "Black Bird Men." The Tuskegee Airmen flew in the Mediterranean theater of operations. The Airmen completed 15,500 missions, destroyed over 260 enemy aircraft, sank one enemy destroyer, and demolished numerous enemy installations. Several aviators died in combat. The Tuskegee Airmen were awarded numerous high honors, including Distinguished Flying Crosses, Legions of Merit, Silver Stars, Purple Hearts, the Croix de Guerre, and the Red Star of Yugoslavia. They never lost a bomber to enemy fighters. A Distinguished Unit Citation was awarded to the 332nd Fighter Group for "outstanding performance and extraordinary heroism" in 1945. The Tuskegee Airmen of the 477th Bombardment Group never saw action in WWII. However, they staged a peaceful, non-violent protest for equal rights at Freeman Field, Indiana, in April 1945. Their achievements proved conclusively that the Tuskegee Airmen were highly disciplined and capable fighters. They earned the respect of fellow bomber crews and of military leaders. Having fought America's enemies abroad, the Tuskegee Airmen returned to America to join the struggle to win equality at home.

Information referenced from http://www.cr.nps.gov/museum/exhibits/tuskegee/aircombat.htm