The Story of the Tuskegee Airmen By Patricia and Fredrick McKissack

1. Red-Tail Angels The Story of the Tuskegee Airmen By Patricia and Fredrick McKissack

2. How they got started • On July 19, 1941, the AAF began a program in Alabama to train Black Americans as military pilots. Primary flight training was conducted by the Division of Aeronautics of Tuskegee Institute. The first classes trained to be fighter pilots became part of the famous 99th Fighter Squadron, and were slated for combat in North Africa. Later classes were attached to the 322 Fighter Group, which flew combat missions with the 99th from bases in Italy.

3. Training • At first 12 African Americans were in the class, and to train them one officer made a total of thirteen people. In five weeks all but Five was gone . Because if you had poor attitude, failing test and did not follow instruction you got kick out. But then they started to go easy and more people joined.

4. After training they got sent off to West Africa. They got to go where their ancestors lived. At West Africa they got missions that did not mean much. They got training to be fighter pilots but now were on the look out for Germany ships.

5. New Mission • They stopped their old mission and started to training as a fighter escort.

6. First Real Mission • The first real mission in June 9,1943. They needed to escort 12 bomber like B-17 and B-24. They started the mission and they were attacked by four Germany Me-109. Four of the eight pilots broke off and pursued the enemy. The pilots broke rank. That almost lost them the whole program of the 99th.

8. New Airplanes • They had got new P-51 aircraft and they painted the tail red. It has a symbol to show who they are. The next 4 missions they did not lose one bomber plane. News about this was like wild fire. Newspapers heard of this and now all of America knew who they were. So when the bomber saw the red tail they were in good hands.

10. Air Force Record • They were going across the Mediterranean Sea when one of the crew turned back on air trouble. One other plane turned back too. On the way back they saw a Germany Destroyer and sunk it with only machine gun fire. No one believed them but the wing cams showed that they were telling the truth.

13. Missions • They did more mission than bomber escort. They did like dive bombing , dog fighting, and shooting at boats ,cars, trains and buildings.

14. Prisoners of War • On a mission to bomb a Germany Airplane factory when artillary blew a hole in his wing, Capt McDaniel had to emergency land. The landing was good and Germany soldiers came to get him. In the prison the Germany officers asked him why fly for a country that does not like your type. He said “ It’s for all the black in my country.” He lived in a dry room 8 feet by 11 feet. They ate when they wanted to. His name was Capt. McDaniel.

16. War Ended • By this time the war was ended. Their four years were up and now it was time to go home. This is all they did Over 15,000 combat Missions (including 6000+ for the 99th prior to July '44).                        *111 German airplanes destroyed in the air, another 150 on the ground *950 railcars, trucks, and other motor vehicles destroyed *1 destroyer sunk by P-47 machine gun fire (Lt. Pierson's flight) *Sixty-six pilots killed in action or accidents *Thirty-two pilots downed and captured, POWs *NO bombers lost while being escorted by the 332nd, a unique achievement *150 Distinguished Flying Crosses earned *744 Air Medals *8 Purple Hearts *14 Bronze Stars • Over 450 pilots came over sea.