"With the enemy I only had to die once. In the Army Air Corps and in life, I had to live with the day to day suffering of degradation and racism."
General Benjamin O.Davis, Jr.
TUSKEGEE AIRMEN HISTORY
Due to the racial discrimination that prevailed in the United States during World War II, approximately 992 Black military pilots were trained at a segregated aviation complex near the town of Tuskegee, Alabama. Under the command of Benjamin Oliver Davis, Jr., 450 Black fighter pilots fought in the aerial war over North Africa and Europe. These gallant men flew 15,553 sorties and completed 1,578 missions in P-39, P-40, P-47 and P-51 aircraft.
For every Black pilot, there were ten other civilian or military Black men and women on ground support duty. Many of these men and women remained in the military after World War II and spearheaded the integration of the U. S. Air Force in 1949. Three of these airmen were ultimately promoted to General: the late General Daniel “Chappie” James, Jr.; the late General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. and the late Major General Lucius Theus. The late Coleman Young became Mayor of Detroit, MI.
In 1972, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. (TAI) was founded. Organized as a non-military and non-profit entity, TAI exists to preserve the history of the Tuskegee Airmen and inspire young Americans to pursue aviation-related careers.
GCCTAI HISTORY
After WorldWar II, many Documented Tuskegee Airmen (DOTA) settled in the Cincinnati area. Among those returning to Cincinnati were Charles O. Southern, Caesar S. Bassette, Sr., John Leahr, John Lindsay and John A. Riley. In 1986, these men along with Armour G. McDaniel of Indianapolis, came together to establish the Greater Cincinnati Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. (GCCTAI) with the express purpose of preserving and promoting the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen by encouraging area youth to pursue careers in aviation and aerospace. Over time, more than 30 DOTA would join GCCTAI and participate in community programs in which they would share and discuss their eyewitness experiences of American history as Tuskegee Airmen. Eventually, GCCTAI would expand to include men and women—civilian and military—who share a sincere commitment in preserving the history of the Tuskegee Airmen. Through the establishment of its Speaker’s Bureau, GCCTAI members have traveled to various parts of Greater Cincinnati and beyond to promote the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen.
