John Holway

They fought two wars. One, at home, against prejudice & the other, abroad, against the Germans. Thus, the cream of black youth shattered stereotypes that blacks did not have the intelligence to fly. They were called the Tuskegee Airmen after their training base at Tuskegee Institute, Tuskegee, Alabama. When finally, & reluctantly, accepted by a combat unit they joined the AAF in North Africa. They proved, without question, their skill in aerial combat as they accumulated a string of victories. Although trained as fighter pilots, their greatest fame was as escorts to B-17 & 24 bomber crews flying to & from targets in central Europe. With the creation of the 15th AAF & the introduction of long-range, daylight bombing, escort duty became their primary responsibility. The 332nd Bomb Group included the earlier 99th FS, which had been a part of an all white group. The 332nd identification was a distinctive red tail on their P-51s. This earned them the nickname 'Red Tails.' Thousand of bomber crews who survived because of their vigilance & dedication attest to their boast to never have lost an escorted bomber to enemy fighters. "Lord, we loved them," was the heartfelt comment of one bombardier.… (meer)