In Honor of Black History Month
During World War II there was a a group of primarily African-American military pilots (fighter and bomber) and support airmen who fought as "The Tuskegee Airmen." All black military pilots who trained in the United States trained at various Army Air Corps fields near and around Tuskegee, Alabama.
In June 1944, the 332nd Fighter Group began flying heavy bomber escort missions and, in July 1944, with the addition of the 99th Fighter Squadron, it had four fighter squadrons.They most commonly flew the North American P-51 Mustang. When the pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group painted the tails of their P-51s red, the nickname "Red Tails" was born. The red markings that distinguished the Tuskegee Airmen included red bands on the noses of P-51s as well as a red rudder.
Tuskegee Military Accomplishments
* 578 combat missions,179 bomber escort missions, with a good record of protection, losing bombers on only seven missions
* 950 rail cars, trucks and other motor vehicles destroyed
* 40 boats and barges destroyed
In all, 992 pilots were trained in Tuskegee from 1941–1946. 355 were deployed overseas, and 84 lost their lives. The toll included 68 pilots killed in action or accidents, 12 killed in training and non-combat missions and 32 captured as prisoners of war.
The Army Air Corps evolved into a separate integrated branch of service and became the U.S. Air Force.
During World War II there was a a group of primarily African-American military pilots (fighter and bomber) and support airmen who fought as "The Tuskegee Airmen." All black military pilots who trained in the United States trained at various Army Air Corps fields near and around Tuskegee, Alabama.
In June 1944, the 332nd Fighter Group began flying heavy bomber escort missions and, in July 1944, with the addition of the 99th Fighter Squadron, it had four fighter squadrons.They most commonly flew the North American P-51 Mustang. When the pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group painted the tails of their P-51s red, the nickname "Red Tails" was born. The red markings that distinguished the Tuskegee Airmen included red bands on the noses of P-51s as well as a red rudder.
Tuskegee Military Accomplishments
* 578 combat missions,179 bomber escort missions, with a good record of protection, losing bombers on only seven missions
* 950 rail cars, trucks and other motor vehicles destroyed
* 40 boats and barges destroyed
In all, 992 pilots were trained in Tuskegee from 1941–1946. 355 were deployed overseas, and 84 lost their lives. The toll included 68 pilots killed in action or accidents, 12 killed in training and non-combat missions and 32 captured as prisoners of war.
The Army Air Corps evolved into a separate integrated branch of service and became the U.S. Air Force.
The Colorado Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen's principle mission is to honor the history of the first black service men of the U.S. Army Air Corps. Centennial Airport, Centennial, Colorado, donated a large grant to the Chapter of Tuskegee Airman to aid their primary project of getting youngsters interested in careers in aviation.
You Don't Say
The best way to get back on your feet is to miss two car payments.
Henry O. Wagoner
In Maryland, Henry O. Wagoner worked with the underground railroad. Suspicions arose in Maryland so he fled to Ontario for a couple of years until he moved to Illinois to renew his abolitionist activities. Eventually he moved to Chicago where he met and became friends with a run-away slave named Barney Ford.
The best way to get back on your feet is to miss two car payments.
Henry O. Wagoner
In Maryland, Henry O. Wagoner worked with the underground railroad. Suspicions arose in Maryland so he fled to Ontario for a couple of years until he moved to Illinois to renew his abolitionist activities. Eventually he moved to Chicago where he met and became friends with a run-away slave named Barney Ford.
After the Civil War, Wagoner moved to Denver and reunited with his old friend Barney Ford. He continued to be a leader in Denver, working to secure blacks the right to vote and equality in education and under the law.
His son Lewis taught reading, writing, and other subjects to adult blacks in Wagoner's home until the Denver school board approved a segregated school building in 1867 and integrated public schools in 1873. Wagoner also operated a saloon and restaurant and in 1870 was estimated to be the wealthiest black in the Denver according to the census.
As editor of The Denver Star, Wagoner argued for civil rights, speaking out against Supreme Court decisions in the Civil Rights Cases in 1883 and in Plessy v. Ferguson in 1896
He died in his home in 1901 at the age of 95.
Famous Last Words
Recommended Reading: Murder in the Rockies and the sequel Two Miles High and Six Feet Under
www.amazon.com/s?k=Two+Miles+High+and+Six+Feet+Under&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss
www.amazon.com/Murder-Rockies-Andrew-Coyle-Eldon/dp/1938467701