Tuskegee Airmen Broke Barriers, Changed Future of the U.S. Military

The 99^th Fighter Squadron first saw combat in World War II in June 1943 over the Italian island of Pantelleria. While the mission was standard in terms of aerial support, it was a historic milestone for the squadron, and for the American military. The 99^th was the first African-American unit of fighter pilots to fly in combat. But despite this momentous breakthrough, African-Americans in the U.S. military still experienced racism and segregation on a daily basis—something they hoped would change after their dedicated service in the war.

Even when the War Department announced a new pilot training program for African-Americans in 1941, many in the military and the public remained dubious about their ability to serve in such combat roles. These men, who became known as the Tuskegee Airmen, proved the doubters wrong.

Members of the 99^th, along with the 100th, 301st and 302nd fighter squadrons, trained at the Tuskegee Institute and Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama, thus receiving the moniker. Over the course of World War II, nearly 1,000 pilots and 15,000 support personnel, trained or worked at this facility.

“Tuskegee Airmen” grew into a blanket term for African-American aviators and their support personnel during the World War II-era. The 477^th Bombardment Group (Medium), an African-American bomber unit which did not train in Tuskegee and was not operational until after the war, nevertheless is also considered to be part of the Tuskegee Airmen.

The 99^th Fighter Squadron primarily provided air support for the invasion of Sicily and mainland Italy. One of their most successful missions came in January 1944, days after Allied troops first landed on the Italian peninsula at Anzio and Nettuno. As the Germans dive-bombed Allied ships near the beachheads, members of the 99th shot down 10 enemy airplanes.

By summer 1944 the 99^th joined the three other Tuskegee-trained squadrons to constitute the 332^nd Fighter Group, which flew escorts for American bombers. Flying the new P-51 mustangs, the 332^nd were soon nicknamed “Red Tails” for the solid red tails of their aircraft. The 332^nd became one of the first Italy-based fighter units to escort B-17s all the way to Berlin and back.

By V-E day, the Tuskegee Airmen had shot down 112 enemy aircraft, knocked out 150 aircraft on the ground, and demolished over 600 railroad cars, and 40 boats and barges. Approximately 150 Tuskegee Airmen lost their lives in combat or in accidents, and 32 became prisoners of war. 

The 332^nd Fighter Group became one of the most respected flying combat units of World War II. In part due to the excellence of these airmen, the U.S. Air Force was the first service to be integrated.

Fifty-one Tuskegee Airmen are buried or memorialized at ABMC cemeteries: