1. The Tuskegee Airmen

2. Segregation Plessy v Ferguson, 1896 ----- Separate But Equal
Jim Crow Laws
Segregated Military

3. Training of the Airmen
1940 Census --- only 124 African American pilots in U.S.
June 1941 training starts at Tuskegee Air Field
Many of the men are students/graduates of Tuskegee University

4. Training of the Men
922 trained
355 served overseas
68 KIA
32 POW

5. Their Record First Assignment
- Sicily in 1943, attack the Italians and Germans
- Distinguished Unit Medal
Bomber Escorts Missions
- 179 missions, only lost 27 bombers
Combat Missions
- 1,578 missions
- 112 Enemy aircraft destroyed
- 950 rail cars and trucks destroyed
- 40 boats and barges destroyed

6. Why do we study them?
Their bravery and record in combat proved African American men could fight in war for the United States.
900,000 African American men served in WWII.
Their example led the military to begin integrating.
By 1954 all military branches are integrated.

7. Videos Segeration in the military
Red Tails – movie trailer
Why we should study them