[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 18 (Thursday, February 17, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S1607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN

  Mr. ROCKEFELLER. Mr. President, I am proud to cosponsor legislation 
to authorize the awarding of the Congressional Gold Medal to the 
Tuskegee Airmen. The Tuskegee Airmen overcame enormous obstacles, 
including blatant discrimination and racism, to become the first black 
airmen. Their success paved the way for reform and, ultimately, 
integration of the United States' Armed Services.
  These men stepped forward to defend our Nation against the horrors of 
Nazi Germany, while continuing to battle racist treatment by their own 
countrymen. They fought through this unjust treatment because their 
sense of duty to their country was greater than the obstacles in their 
path. The recognition of their persistence, courage and allegiance is 
long overdue.
  Of the 1,000 Tuskegee Airmen, 450 served in combat, 66 died in 
combat, and another 33 were shot down and captured as prisoners of war. 
The pilots were credited with destroying 261 aircraft, damaging 148 
aircraft, and flying 15,553 combat sorties and 1,578 missions over 
Italy and North Africa. They destroyed or damaged over 950 units of 
ground transportation and escorted more than 200 bombing missions.
  As a result of their heroic actions, members of the Tuskegee Airmen 
have been awarded three Presidential Unit Citations and 150 
Distinguished Flying Crosses and Legions of Merit, in addition to The 
Red Star of Yugoslavia, 9 Purple Hearts, 14 Bronze Stars and more than 
700 air medals and clusters.
  I am proud to say that 16 of these airmen were from the State of West 
Virginia. Several attended West Virginia State University, a university 
which has graduated more military generals than any other non-military 
college in the Nation. The 16 West Virginians are listed below.
  Alston, William R.
  Carter, John
  Eagleson, Wilson V.
  Gamble, Howard C.
  Gray, George E.
  Hill, William L.
  Johnson, Langdon E.
  Jones, Hubert L.
  Killard, James M., Jr.
  Kydd, George H., III
  Prewitt, Mexion O.
  Roberts, George S.,
  Robinson, Robert L., Jr.
  Thompson, Floyd A.
  Watkins, Edward Wilson
  Whitehead, John L., Jr.
  The Tuskegee Airmen have proven their valor and dedication to our 
country, and they have earned the Congressional Medal of Honor. It is 
time that they receive this honor.

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