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Tuskegee Airmen. African American pilots in World War II. Objective Slide. Our objective is to inform you of the hardships and experiences the Tuskegee Airmen had to overcome for the duration of World War II. . The Beginning.
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TuskegeeAirmen African American pilots in World War II
Objective Slide Our objective is to inform you of the hardships and experiences the Tuskegee Airmen had to overcome for the duration of World War II.
The Beginning • The work of Civil rights organizations helped form an African- American squadron know as the Tuskegee airmen.
They were dedicated and determined young African Americans. Became the first black military airmen. They lived in cities all over the country. Large numbers came from these cities: NYC Washington Los Angeles Chicago Philadelphia Detroit The Men
Set Backs • Many in the Us military thought black men lacked: • Intelligence • Skill • Courage • Patriotism • Qualifications for combat duty
Set Backs • They were constantly denied military leadership roles and skilled training. • They were banned from flying for the U.S. military.
Tuskegee Experiment • To train the African Americans the Army Air Corps created a program teaching them: • How to fly • How to maintain combat aircraft
The Program • The program was made up of: • Pilots • Navigators • Bombardiers • Maintenance • Support staff • Instructors • Personnel who kept the planes in the air
Tuskegee Institute • The Tuskegee Institute was selected by the military to train the African American pilots. • It is located in Montgomery, Alabama.
Tuskegee institute Was known for: • Its commitment to aeronautical training • The facilities • Engineering • Technical instructors • A climate for year round flying
Tuskegee Institute • Over time the program expanded and became the center for African-American aviation for the duration of World War II.
Aviation Class • The 1st aviation cadet class began in July, 1941. • 9 months later, 5 men successfully completed the training. • They received Army Air Corps silver pilot wings
Graduating • The black airmen became: • Single-engine pilots • Multi-engine pilots • Navigators • Bombardiers • Gunnery crews • Mechanics
Post Graduation • 1942-1946 • Nine hundred and ninety-four pilots graduated at TAAF • Receiving commissions and pilot wings.
Post Graduation • Four hundred and fifty of the pilots served overseas in the: • 99th Pursuit Squadron • 332nd Fighter Group • 477th Composite Group • 100th Fighter Squadron • 302nd Fighter Squadron
99th Fighter Squadron • Combat in North Africa. • Trained in and flew P-40 War hawk aircraft. • Combat in Sicily and Italy April 1943.
Combat Record • Over 15,000 combat sorties • 111 German airplanes destroyed in the air • 150 German aircraft destroyed on the ground • 950 railcars, trucks, and other motor vehicles destroyed • 1 destroyer sunk by P-47 machine gun fire • Sixty-six pilots killed in action or accidents
Combat Record • Thirty-two pilots downed and captured, POWs • NO Bombers were ever lost to Enemy Aircraft while being escorted • 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses earned • 744 Air Medals • 8 Purple Hearts Stars • 14 Bronze
Conclusion • They became one of the most highly respected fighter groups of World War II. • They proved to others they could fly and maintain sophisticated combat aircraft. • Their accomplishments became the catalysts for full integration of African Americans in the U.S. military.
Websites • http://www.tuskegeeairmen.org/Tuskegee_Airmen_History.html • http://www.allstar.fiu.edu/aero/tuskegee.htm • http://www.frankambrose.com/pages/tusk.html • http://www.nps.gov/museum/exhibits/tuskegee/airoverview.htm