The Tuskegee Airmen Memorial

The Tuskegee Airmen Memorial. . , Alabama's Tuskegee Airmen In Michigan , During the middle years of World War II, Michigan was home to several of the first African American air combat units known as The Tuskegee Airmen., On March 26, 1943, the 332nd Fighter Group, comprised of the: 100th; 301st and 302nd fighter squadrons, departed Tuskegee Army Airfield (AAF), Alabama for final world war two combat crew training at Selfridge and Oscoda AAF's; their new homes in Michigan., The Tuskegee Airmen fought for their beliefs and some of these patriots gave up their lives for this country. Even at a time when their country did not believe in them four members of the Tuskegee Airmen would eventually be named U.S. General Officers., The Tuskegee Airmen: True American Heroes., Dedicated August 28, 2021, In Memoriam , 2nd Lieutenant Frank Moody , Just offshore in Lake Huron not far from this point lie the remains of 2nd Lt. Frank Moody's p-39 Airacobra., His aircraft was discovered April 11, 2014, seventy years to the day of his 1944 accident., Flight Officer Nathaniel P. Rayburg , The wreck site of flight officer Nathaniel Rayburg's P-39 Airacobra was discovered in the St. Clair River., The "Tuskegee Aviation Experience" , Was the Army Air Corps program to train the nation's first African American military aviators to fly, fight, maintain combat aircraft, and help win World War II., The group included pilots, navigators, bombardiers, mechanics, nurses, crew chiefs, cooks, and all support personnel who kept the planes and pilots in the air. The effort was considered a military experiment; these 18-26 year olds made it a success!, The Tuskegee Airmen were trained at Tuskegee Institute (University) in Alabama because of its pioneering commitment to aeronautical education and support of African Americans in aviation endeavors' test scores were among the nation's best., The Tuskegee Airmen overcame segregation and prejudice to become one of the most highly respected fighter groups of world war two., They flew 15,553 sorties, destroyed critical axis equipment and logistical supplies, flew the longest combat escort mission of the war and earned the title "Red-Tailed Angels" for their heroic protection of American bomber crews in their Red-Tailed P-51 Aircraft., The skill and bravery of the Tuskegee trained aviators in aerial combat and raids over Europe hastened the allied victory over the axis powers in the European Theatre and paved the way for the integration of the U.S. Military., Their wartime commitment to a "Double V": victory over the axis, powers in Europe and victory over segregation at home took time but this was finally achieved!, Respect and Honor , Bell P-39 Airbra, The P-39 Airacobra was flown by the Tuskegee Airmen in Michigan>br> , In memory and recognition of the bravery and conviction of the Tuskegee Airmen in Michigan and all Tuskegee Airmen of world war two., 2nd Lieutenant Luther Linson Blakeney . 2nd Lieutenant Charles W. Dickerson . 2nd Lieutenant Jerome Thompson Edwards . 2nd Lieutenant Nathaniel Milton Hill . 2nd Lieutenant William E. Hill . 2nd Lieutenant Vincent Jay Mason . 2nd Lieutenant Cornelius F. May . 2nd Lieutenant Frank Herman Moody . 2nd Lieutenant Leon Purchase . Flight Officer Nathaniel Porter Rayburg . 2nd Lieutenant Wilmeth W. Sidat-Singh . 2nd Lieutenant Paul Carroll Simmons, Jr. . 2nd Lieutenant William H. Walker . 2nd Lieutenant Johnson C. Wells . 2nd Lieutenant Leroi Shelton Williams