Heading To President's Desk For Signature

Michigan senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow hailed final approval Friday of legislation to collectively honor the Tuskegee Airmen with the Congressional Gold Medal.

The bill highlights the courageous accomplishments of the airmen as pilots, as well as the revolutionary reforms they inspired in the Armed Forces. The House of Representatives had already approved the bill -- which was sponsored by New York Rep. Charlie Rangel. It will now go to the President for his signature.

“The Tuskegee Airmen were a heroic and trailblazing force in the struggle for civil rights and are richly deserving of the highest honor that Congress can bestow upon them,” said Levin, who wrote and sponsored the bill that included 77 cosponsors. “I am proud to play a part in ensuring that their legacy is enshrined in American history.”

“This heroic group of African-American flyers fought in two types of battles—the battle of World War II and the battle against racism at home,” said Stabenow. “These soldiers are a vital part of both America’s and Michigan’s history, and I am thrilled they will finally receive the recognition they deserve.”

The Tuskegee Airmen were not only unique in their military record, but they inspired revolutionary reform in the armed forces, paving the way for integration of the armed services in the U.S. The largely college-educated Tuskegee Airmen overcame the enormous challenges of prejudice and discrimination, succeeding despite obstacles that threatened failure. What made these men exceptional was their willingness to leave their families and put their lives on the line to defend rights that were denied them here at home.

The story of the Tuskegee Airmen began in 1941, when President Franklin Roosevelt ordered the creation of an all black flight training program at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. President Roosevelt did so one day after the NAACP filed suit in federal court on behalf of a Howard University student and others to force the Department of Defense to accept black pilot trainees.

The first aviation cadet class of 13 young black pilot candidates began training at Tuskegee Army Air Field in the summer of 1941. In September 1941, Captain Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., a West Point graduate, became the first African American to fly solo as a US Army Air Corps officer. In March 1942, five young black pilots, including Davis, successfully completed training and received Army Air Corps silver pilot wings. Davis later became the first African American to rise to the rank of general in the US Air Force.

Four hundred fifty African-American fighter pilots fought in aerial battles over North Africa, Sicily and Europe during World War II. Sixty-six of the pilots died in combat, while another 33 were shot down and captured as prisoners of war. The Tuskegee Airmen were credited with 261 aircraft destroyed, 148 aircraft damaged, 15,553 combat sorties and 1,578 missions. In addition, as an escort fighter wing they never lost a bomber to enemy fighters.

German pilots both feared and respected them. White American bomber crews referred to them as "Redtailed Angels" because of the bright red paint on the tail assemblies and because of their reputation for not losing bombers to enemy fighters.

Altogether, almost 1,000 African-American pilots graduated from Tuskegee Institute, with the last class finishing in June 1946.

Congress recognizes outstanding achievements through the commissioning of Congressional Gold Medals. Since 1776, approximately 300 people and the American Red Cross have received this honor.

Awardees include individuals from diverse backgrounds including the military, arts, athletics, aviation, exploration, politics, religion, medicine, science and entertainment.

FMI:  www.wpafb.af.mil/museum/history/prewwii/ta.htm