1. Butler Bennett, Kate McKenzie, Enereyda Bernal
Tuskegee Airmen
Butler Bennett, Kate McKenzie, Enereyda Bernal

2. Background
The Tuskegee Airmen were the first african americans to serve as military aviators in the U.S armed forces
In 1940, being pressured by black activists, the press, and President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the US Air Force accepted the first black flight program applicants.

3. Background
African Americans graduates were selected for an experiment that created the segregated 99th Pursuit Squadron
Trained black pilots and ground support
They trained at an airfield adjacent to Alabama’s Tuskegee institute
Activated on March 22, 1941.

4. Significance of the Tuskegee Airmen
992 pilots graduated from the Tuskegee Air Field courses
Flew 1,578 missions and 15,533 sorties
Destroyed 261 enemy aircrafts
Won more than 850 medals
“Double Victory”- victory over the Axis powers and victory over racism at home
Reflect the struggle of African Americans to achieve equal rights through desegregation in the military

5. Significance of the Tuskegee Airmen
In 1941 fewer than 4,000 African Americans were serving in the military
By 1945, more than 1.2 million African Americans would be serving
President Harry S Truman desegregated the United States Military in 1948

6. WWII Hall of Fame First African American aviators in the military
1578 combat missions
Over 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses
Shot down over 260 enemy aircraft
Distinguished Unit Citation
80 Airmen died in combat

7. Video

8. Sources
"War Record - Red Tail Squadron." Red Tail Squadron. CAF Redtail Squadron, Web. 12 Jan
“Tuskegee Airmen.” Britannica School.Encylopaedia Britannica, Inc., Web. 12 Jan
“Tuskegee Airmen.” Encyclopedia of African American Society (n.d.): n. pag. Web.
"The Tuskegee Airmen." The Tuskegee Airmen. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Jan
"A Brief History of the Tuskegee Airmen - Red Tail Squadron." Red Tail Squadron. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Jan