THIS DAY IN HISTORY

The "Red Tails"

Today is Memorial Day, a day set aside to honor our military members who gave their lives defending our nation and its freedoms. So it seems appropriate to remember such sacrifices from WWII history, including the Tuskegee Airmen.

The Tuskegee Airmen, named after the place they trained, were a group of black pilots in the US Army Air Corps. Between 1941-1946 nearly 1,000 pilots were trained at Tuskegee Institute (founded in 1881 by Booker T. Washington). These pilots formed the 99th Fighter Squadron and were sent overseas in 1942, with their first combat experience occurring on June 2, 1943 on Pantelleria, an Italian island. In July 1944, three all-black squadrons were joined together to make up the 332nd Fighter Group. Known for the red paint on the tails of their planes, the 332nd were nicknamed "Red Tails."

The "Red Tails" flew over 1,500 missions during WWII where they destroyed nearly 300 aircraft, over 600 railroad cars, and 40 boats. The 332nd flew many of its combat missions as protective escorts for vulnerable bomber groups.

About 150 Tuskegee Airmen were killed and an additional 32 were taken prisoner. For acts of bravery, this unit received many awards including a Presidential Unit Citation for the longest bomber escort mission.

Brave airmen of the 332nd also received 96 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 25 Bronze Stars, and 8 Purple Hearts. (WallBuilders' Collection includes various signatures of Tuskegee Airmen.) Theirs is truly a story worth remembering today.

On this Memorial Day, remember the over one million courageous Americans who have paid the ultimate price for our freedoms. Let's pray for the surviving families of those who lost loved ones and for all the service members who are currently deployed around the world.

Blessed be the Lord my Rock, Who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle.
Psalm 144:1 (NKJV)

Presenting America’s forgotten history and heroes

with an emphasis on our moral, religious and constitutional heritage.