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Black men allowed to serve in all military branches
Congress passes a Selective Service Act, which requires all armed services to enlist black men. On the same day, the War Department announces that the Civil Aeronautics Authority, in cooperation with the U.S. Army, will start the development of "colored personnel" for the aviation service. -
Black flight squadron announced
The War Department announces plans to create a "Negro pursuit squadron" whose pilots will be trained at Tuskegee, Ala. -
First black flight squadron created
The 99th Pursuit Squadron is constituted. Three days later, the unit of enlisted men is activated at Chanute Field, Ill., under Capt. Harold R. Maddux, a white officer. Learn more about the 99th -
Attack on Pearl Harbor
The Japanese attack Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, killing 2,402 and wounding 1,282 Americans. The USS Arizona, left, belches smoke as it toppled over into the sea during the surprise attack. The U.S. entered World War II the following day, and the need for combat pilots skyrocketed. <a href="http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/story/573F9A79E2BF4934862575D80082048B?OpenDocument#unit" target="_blank">See more photos from the Pearl Harbor attack</a> -
Squadron created
The 301st and 302nd fighter squadrons and the 332nd Fighter Group are constituted. The squadron will eventually be assigned to the 332nd. Learn more about the 301st Fighter Squadron -
Squadron activated
The 301st and 302nd fighter squadrons and the 332nd Fighter Group are activated at Tuskegee Army Air Field, Ala. The 301st, 302nd and pre-existing 100th Fighter Squadron are assigned to the 332nd, the first black group in the Army Air Forces. On Oct. 19, Lt. Col. Sam W. Westbrook is named commander of the 332nd Fighter Group. He is a white officer. Learn more about the 100th Fighter Squadron -
Walker is first black officer of 332nd
1st Lt. Charles W. Walker becomes the first black officer assigned to the 332nd Fighter Group. He is a chaplain. -
Emblem for 332nd approved
The emblem for the 332nd Fighter Group is approved. On a blue shield with a gold band across the middle, the emblem features a fire-breathing black panther. It is still used today by the 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing. -
332nd moves to Michigan
The 332nd Fighter Group and its 100th, 301st and 302nd fighter squadrons move from Tuskegee Army Air Base to Selfridge Field, Mich. On April 12, the 332nd moves to Oscoda, Mich., then back to Selfridge Field on July 9. -
Davis leads 332nd Fighter Group
Col. Benjamin O. Davis Jr., who had served as commander of the 99th Fighter Squadron in combat in North Africa and Italy, becomes the first black commander of the 332nd Fighter Group, replacing Col. Robert R. Selway Jr. Both Selway, who had led the group since May, and Davis graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. -
Squadron deploys to Europe
The 332nd Fighter Group deploys for overseas combat. In January 1944, the group travels from Hampton Roads, Va., to Italy aboard the USS William Few. The ship passes through the strait of Gibraltar on the way. The 332nd arrived in Taranto, Italy, on Jan. 29, and moved to Montecorvino, Italy, its first overseas base of operations, on Feb. 3. -
Squadron begins combat missions
The 332nd Fighter Group begins operations for the 12th Air Force, flying P-39 Airacobra's on convoy escort, harbor protection, scramble and point patrol missions. Learn more about the P-39 -
Volcano erupts
Mount Vesuviuis erupts near Naples, Italy, spreading ash over the 332nd Fighter Group at Montecorvino. -
Squadron moves, gets new planes
The 332nd Fighter Group moves to Capodichino, Italy. In April and May, the group converts from P-39s to P-47 Thunderbolts. Learn more about the P-47 -
332nd joins 15th Air Force
The 332nd Fighter Group transfers from the 12th Air Force to the 15th Air Force. Its first mission with the 15th Air Force is a fighter sweep of hte Ferrara-Bologna area on June 7. Its first heavy bomber escort mission, protecting B-17s from the 5th Bombardment Wing on a mission to Pola, Italy, is June 8. On May 28, the 332nd Fighter Group moves to Ramitelli Air Field, Italy, where it will remain for the rest of the war in Europe. -
3 enemy planes shot down
1st Lt. Charles M. Bussy, 1st Lt. Melvin T. Jackson and 1st Lt. Wendell O. Pruitt each shoot down one enemy plane during an escort mission to Munich, Germany. It is the 332nd Fighter Group's first mission over Germany; in all, four pilots shoot down five enemy planes. Col. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. earns a Distinguished Flying Cross for the mission. Enemy planes shoot down two of the escorted B-24 bombers. -
Enemy warship sunk
Eight pilots from the 332nd Fighter Group strafe and sink an enemy warship in the Adriatic Sea near Pirano. -
Group gets new planes
The 332nd Fighter Group flies its first mission in the P-51 Mustang. Learn more about the P-51 -
1 enemy plane shot down
2nd Lt. William W. Green Jr. shoots down one enemy plane during a fighter sweep in Vienna, Austria. A pilot from the 99th Fighter Squadron also shoots down an enemy plane. -
3 enemy planes shot down
1st Lt. Luther H. Smith Jr., 1st Lt. Laurence D. Wilkins and 2nd Lt. Robert H. Smith each shoot down an enemy plane during an escort mission to Avignon, France. -
4 enemy planes shot down
1st Lt. Weldon K. Groves, 2nd Lt. Lee A. Archer, 2nd Lt. Roger Romine and 2nd Lt. Hugh S. Warner each shoot down one enemy plane during an escort mission to an airfield at Memmingen, Germany. Pilots from the 99th and 100th fighter squadrons shoot down eight more enemy planes; some of the B-24 bombers the group is escorting are shot down by enemy planes. -
2 enemy planes shot down
1st Lt. Freddie E. Hutchins and 2nd Lt. Roger Romine each shoot down one enemy plane during an escort mission to Markendorf Airdrome. Two pilots from the 99th Fighter Squadron also shoot down two enemy planes. -
1 enemy plane shot down
1st Lt. Felix J. Kirkpatrick shoots down an enemy plane during an escort mission to Budapest, Hungary. Pilots from the 99th, 100th and 301st fighter squadrons shoot down seven enemy planes. -
1 enemy plane shot down
Flight Officer William L. Hill shoots down an enemy plane during an escort mission to Markersdorf Airdrome, Germany. -
2 enemy planes shot down
1st Lt. Charles E. McGee and 1st Lt. William H. Thomas each shoot down an enemy plane during an escort mission to Pardubice Airdrome, Czechoslovakia. A pilot from the 100th Fighter Squadron also shoots down an enemy plane. One of the escorted B-24 bombers is hit by flak and shot down by enemy planes. -
Dozens of grounded enemy planes destroyed
The 332nd Fighter Group attacks air fields in Czechoslovakia and destroys 22 enemy aircraft on the ground while returning from a mission in Blechhammer, Germany. On Aug. 30, the group destroys 83 enemy planes on the ground during a strafing mission at Grosswardein Airdrome in Romania. On Sept. 8, the group destroys 36 enemy planes on the ground during strafing missions to two air fields in Yugoslavia. -
9 enemy planes shot down
Nine enemy planes are shot down during a strafing mission in Hungary and Czechoslovakia. 1st Lt. Lee Archer shot down three planes, bringing his total aerial victories score to four. Capt. Wendell O. Pruitt shot down two planes. Capt. Milton R. Brooks, 1st Lt. William W. Green Jr. 1st Lt. Roger Romine and 1st Lt. Luther H. Smith Jr. each shot down one plane. -
Roberts temporarily leads 332nd Fighter Group
Maj. George S. Roberts becomes commander of the 332nd Fighter Group, temporarily replacing Col. Benjamin O. Davis Jr., who returned Dec. 24 to lead the group. -
2 enemy planes shot down
Capt. Luke J. Weathers shoots down two enemy planes during an escort mission to Munich, Germany. -
Squadron's emblem approved
The 302nd Fighter Squadron's emblem is approved. On a blue disk, it features a winged red devil with a machine gun over a cloud. -
Squadron inactivated
The 302nd Fighter Squadron is inactivated. -
Board votes for segregation
A War Department board of general officers, led by Lt. Gen. Alvan C. Gillem Jr., submits its final report on the employment of black troops. The board favors continuing segregation. -
Last class graduates from Tuskegee
The last class of pilots graduates at Tuskegee Army Air Field. -
Military integrated
President Harry S. Truman signs Executive Order 9981, officially ending segregation in the U.S. armed forces.
