[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 54 (Wednesday, March 28, 2007)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E664]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      HONORING THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. JOHN B. LARSON

                             of connecticut

                    in the house of representatives

                        Tuesday, March 27, 2007

  Mr. LARSON of Connecticut. Madam Speaker, I rise today to 
congratulate the Tuskegee Airmen on receiving the Congressional Gold 
Medal. ``Tuskegee Airmen'' refers to all who were involved in the so-
called ``Tuskegee Experiment,'' the Army Air Corps program to train 
African Americans to fly and maintain combat aircraft. The Tuskegee 
Airmen included pilots, navigators, bombardiers, maintenance and 
support staff, instructors, and all the personnel who kept the planes 
in the air and bravely served our Nation during World War II.
  In July 1941, 13 men started the first aviation cadet class at 
Tuskegee Army Field in Tuskegee, Alabama. After 9 months of vigorous 
flight training, 5 men successfully completed the program and graduated 
from the Tuskegee Flying School. These 5 airmen included CPT Lemuel R. 
Custis of my home State of Connecticut, who went on to become one of 
the first members of the 99th Fighter Squadron. The United States sent 
the 99th Fighter Squadron to North Africa and later Europe, where the 
Tuskegee Airmen proved to be valuable to the Allied Forces. In total, 
the Tuskegee Airmen of the 99th, 100th, 301st, and 302nd Fighter 
Squadrons distinguished themselves with 1,578 missions. Also, the 332nd 
earned a Presidential Unit Citation for ``outstanding courage, 
aggressiveness, and combat technique'' while escorting heavy bombers 
over Germany, The next generation of these outstanding individuals 
featured another constituent of mine, Flight Officer Connie Nappier, 
Jr., of Hartford, Connecticut. Nappier strived to excel at his work and 
passed every navigation exercise. Despite his accomplishments, he and 
others were constantly accused of cheating or denied credit for their 
outstanding achievements, which went directly to the white instructors. 
Connie Nappier and 100 other men were even thrown in prison for 
attempting to use the segregated Officer's Club at Freeman Field in 
Indiana, only to be released at the order of President Truman. The 
brave efforts of men like Connie Nappier, Jr., paved the way for 
African American aviators in the military.
  Finally, these outstanding individuals will officially receive the 
award and credit that they have long deserved. Unfortunately, my 
constituent, Lemuel Custis passed away in February of 2005 at the age 
of 89, and will not have the opportunity to receive the honor he long 
deserved for his brave service to our Nation. Custis himself recognized 
in his own words that the Tuskegee Airmen ``were fighting a war on two 
fronts. They were fighting the enemy in Europe and Africa and they 
fought a Jim Crow society at home.'' Lemuel Custis was a hero and a 
true patriot, but is widely remembered to be a ``humble man who loved 
his country.'' Lemuel Custis, Connie Nappier, Jr., and the rest of the 
Tuskegee Airmen bravely rose above the obstacles set by the rampant 
discrimination of the period, and courageously defended a democracy 
that had not yet embraced them as true citizens.
  Madam Speaker, I strongly urge my colleagues to join me today in 
honoring the Tuskegee Airmen for their outstanding service to our 
Nation. I feel privileged to assist in honoring heroes like Lemuel 
Custis and Connie Nappier, Jr. who stood up to defend our Nation in the 
midst of World War II, and helped to break down the racial barriers of 
the United States military. We all owe them our appreciation and 
respect for their valiant contribution to this county.

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