[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 16 (Wednesday, February 23, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 23, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
                        TUSKEGEE AIRMEN HONORED

                                 ______


                           HON. SHERROD BROWN

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 23, 1994

  Mr. BROWN of Ohio. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 
Tuskegee Airmen, on the occasion of their 50th anniversary.
  Due to the rigid pattern of racial segregation that prevailed in the 
United States during World War II, 966 black military aviators were 
trained at an isolated training complex near the town of Tuskegee, AL. 
Four hundred and fifty black fighter pilots under the command of Col. 
Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., fought in the aerial war over North Africa, 
Sicily, and Europe. These gallant men flew 15,553 sorties and completed 
1,578 missions with the 12th Tactical U.S. Army Air Force and the 15th 
Strategic U.S. Army Air Force. Colonel Davis later became the U.S. Air 
Force's first black general and later rose to the rank of lieutenant.
  These airmen were called the Schwartze Vogelmenschen--Black Birdmen--
by the Germans, who both feared and respected them. White American 
bomber crews reverently referred to them as ``The Black Redtail 
Angels'' because of the identifying red paint on their tail assemblies 
and because of their reputation for not losing bombers to enemy 
fighters.
  The 99th Fighter Squadron, which had already distinguished itself 
over North Africa, Sicily, and Anzio, joined three other black 
squadrons: the 100th, the 301st, and the 302d. These four squadrons, 
designated as the 332d Fighter Group, comprised the largest fighter 
unit in the 15th Air Force. Sixty-six of these pilots were killed in 
aerial combat while another 32 were either forced down or shot down and 
captured to become prisoners of war. These black airmen came home with 
150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, Legions of Merit, and the Red Star of 
Yugoslavia.
  Other black pilots, navigators, bombardiers, and crewmen who were 
trained for medium bombardment duty were joined by 332d combat 
returnees and formed into the 477th composite Fighter-Bomber Group (B-
52's and P-47's). This group never entered combat because of the 
surrender of Germany and Japan in 1945. Significantly, the 477th's 
demands for parity and recognition as competent military professionals 
combined with the magnificent wartime record of the 99th and the 332d 
led to a review of the U.S. War Department's racial policies.
  For every black pilot there were 10 other civilian or military black 
men and women on ground support duty. Many of these men and women 
remained in the military service during the post-World War II era and 
spearheaded the integration of the armed forces of the United States 
with their integration into the U.S. Air Force in 1949.
  Nearly 30 years of anonymity were ended in 1972 with the founding of 
Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., at Detroit, MI. Organized as a nonmilitary and 
nonprofit entity, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., exists primarily to motivate 
and inspire young Americans to become participants in our Nation's 
society and its democratic process. In addition TAI's National 
Scholarship Fund awards scholarship grants across the Nation to young 
men and women who wish to pursue careers in aviation or aerospace 
industry.
  With a growing number of chapters located in major cities throughout 
the United States, Europe, and in Japan, the membership of Tuskegee 
Airmen, Inc., is made up, principally, of veterans of the armed forces 
and active duty personnel representing all the branches of the 
military. It also includes a growing number of civilians who 
demonstrate sincere interest in helping the organization achieve its 
goals and objectives. All officers and directors of the organization 
serve without salary or fee.
  Mr. Speaker, it is with great pride that I ask you and my fellow 
Members of Congress to join me in recognizing the Tuskegee Airmen. As 
they celebrate their 50-year anniversary, let us remember the important 
contributions these individuals have made to the history of our 
country.

                          ____________________