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The first step
Two pilots of The National Airman's Association, an organization comprised of black pilots, meet with Senator Harry S. Truman from Missouri. Truman helps sponsor a bill to allow black pilots to serve in the Civilian Pilot Training Program. -
Congress gets involved
Congress passed the Civilian Pilot Training Act -
the Experiment
The Army Air Corps submits a plan to the War Department for an "experiment" forming an all black fighter squadron with thirty-three pilots. -
The 99th
The 99th Pursuit Squadron is formed by the War Department to be trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Tuskegee, Alabama. -
open for business
Tuskegee Army Air Field officially opens. -
more money, more responsibility
Captain Benjamin Davis, Jr. is promoted to Lt. Colonel. -
Graduation day
-the first class of Tuskegee pilots graduates and earn their wings. -
The Lonely Eagles
Lt. Colonel Benjamin Davis, Jr. takes command of the 99th Fighter Squadron. -
Africa or bust!
The 99th (The Lonely Eagles) heads for North Africa. -
Making it rain!
Captain Charles B. Hall is the first Tuskegee pilot to down an enemy aircraft. He shoots down a FW-190 and damges an Me-109. -
returning home
-Lt. Colonel Benjamin Davis, Jr. leaves the 99th to return home to command the 332nd Fighter Group. The 332nd is comprised of the all black 100th, 301st and 302nd Fighter Squadrons. -
together we stand
the 99th is attached to the 79th Fighter Group of the 12th Air Force. -
down with the Nazi's
pilots of the 302nd Fighter Squadron sink a German destroyer with machine gun fire from their P-47's. -
Bringin' home the hardware!
Four pilots of the 332nd are awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. -
Its all over!
World War II ends with the surrender of Japan.
