Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site

During WWII, history was made at Moton Field when the first African-American flight squadron were trained to fly fighter planes. You can visit this historic site and learn about the heroic actions of these pioneers who left their mark in history. Watch films profiling the story of the Tuskegee Airmen. Another place where Alabama made history.

Prior to World War II, many people believed that Black men lacked the intelligence, skill, courage and patriotism to hold important positions in the military. In July 1941, the Tuskegee Airmen was created partly due to the encouragement and support of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Many Black college graduates and others who passed the mental and physical qualifications from throughout America volunteered to join this new air unit. The men selected for air training received their commissions as officers and trained to be single-engine pilots. Later the program was expanded to include twin-engine pilots, navigators and bombardiers.

The officers trained in operations, meteorology, intelligence, engineering, medicine or any of the other officer fields. Enlisted members were trained to be aircraft and engine mechanics, armament specialists, radio repairmen, parachute riggers, control tower operators, policemen, administrative clerks and all of the other skills necessary to fully function as an Army Air Corps flying squadron or ground support unit.

The black airmen were trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field (TAFF) which was how they received their name as the Tuskegee Airmen. The first class started in July 1941 and graduated in March 1942. The inaugural class graduated five pilots including West Point graduate Captain Benjamin O. Davis Jr.

From 1941-46, nine hundred ninety-six pilots graduated from the Tuskegee Army Air Field Training School. Four hundred and fifty of the pilots who were trained at TAAF served overseas in either the 99th Pursuit Squadron (later the 99th Fighter Squadron) or the 332nd Fighter Group. The 99th Fighter Squadron trained in and flew P-40 Warhawk aircraft in combat in North Africa, Sicily and Italy from April 1943 until July 1944 when they were transferred to the 332nd Fighter Group in the 15th Air Force.

On May 2, 1949, the Tuskegee Airmen participated in the first ever United States Air Force Weapons Meet in Nevada. They won the challenge and become designated as the "First Top Guns". The pilots gave credit to their Maintenance Personnel for the victory and they were listed as the "Best" in the Air Force. Staff Sergeant Buford Johnson won the title "Best of the Best" as crew chief for James Harvey.

In 1995, the story of the Tuskegee Airmen was made into a television movie starring Laurence Fishburne, Courtney B. Vance, Cuba Gooding Jr., John Lithgow, Andre Braugher and many others. Although the majority of the characters in the film were fictious composites of real pilots, Benjamin O. Davis portrayed by Andre Braugher was one of the original Tuskegee Airmen and it has been said that Braugher's portrayal of Davis was very realistic.

In March 2007, President George W. Bush presented the Tuskegee Airmen with the Congressional Gold Medal for their outstanding service during World War II. Several surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen were in attendance at the ceremony including Dr. Roscoe Brown, Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson, Col. Elmer D. Jones and Lt. Col. Walter L. McCreary.

In combat, the Tuskegee Airmen flew nearly 1600 missions and over 15,500 sorties. They destroyed or damaged 1446 enemy buildings, weapons and vehicles. Out of the 450 Tuskegee pilots in combat overseas, sixty-six were killed in action. They were awarded with 866 medals and merits for their service.

The Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site is located at Moton Field in Tuskegee, AL. The visitor center houses many exhibits and a theatre where films are shown about the history of the Tuskegee Airmen as well as visitor information about the historic site. A scenic overlook provides visitors the opportunity to see Moton Field and the structures on it where the pilots trained. Tours of Hangar #1 are available on weekends; but must be prescheduled with the ranger on duty. There are also various activities designed specifically for children.

The Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site is a place where history was made and the valor of African-Americans in the military was realized. This site is unique to Alabama and an important chapter of not only Alabama history, but American history. For more information on visiting the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site, visit http://www.nps.gov/tuai/index.htm

As we honor our veterans past and present, let us not forget the courage and sacrifice of these pioneers as the world fought side by side to prevent the domination of our planet by evil and to preserve the freedom that we all enjoy today.