1. Tuskegee Airmen

2. The Beginning
September 16, 1940: Congress passed a Selective Service Act which required all the armed services to enlist “Negroes”. On the same day, the War Department announced that the Civil Aeronautics Authority, in cooperation with the U.S. Army, would start the development of “colored personnel” for the aviation service.

4. P-51 Mustang
“Red Tails”

5. The home field for the 477th was Selfridge Field, located outside Detroit.

7. Soldiers & Fighters Tuskegee Airmen were fighting for 2 victories.
Victory in WWII
Victory against racism at home

8. Achievements First African-American combat pilots
112 Enemy aircraft destroyed in flight.
Awarded over 850 medals
The only squadrons never to loose an escorted American bomber
Nationally recognized “ACE” fighters
Major break though in the battle for Civil Rights