African-American WWII Airmen Honored By Congress
WASHINGTON (June 2, 2004)- On the 60th anniversary of their successful combat missions to fight foreign aggression and the Nazis, the brave Airmen of Tuskegee were recognized by Congress. H. Con. Res. 417 was co-sponsored by House Policy Chairman Christopher Cox, R-CA.
“The Tuskegee Airmen defeated decades of racism to serve their country in the skies over Europe during World War II," Chairman Cox said. "Their contribution to the security of our nation is an inspiration to us today as we wage the battle against terrorism.”
In 1941, the Army Air Corps, now the United States Air Force, began to train military pilots at the Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama. These men became the first African-American pilots to fly in combat for the U.S. military. Feared by the enemy for their tenacious protection of Allied bombers, their record discouraged enemy fighter pilots from attacking the bombers that they escorted.
By the end of the war, 992 men had received their pilots' wings at Tuskegee. Of these, 450 were sent overseas for combat duty. During their service, approximately 150 lost their lives.
The resolution honoring the Tuskegee Airmen comes just days after President Bush dedicated the long-awaited National World War II Memorial on the Mall in Washington, DC. The memorial honors the contributions and sacrifices of the more than 16 million men and women who, like the Tuskegee Airmen, served in uniform more than 60 years ago.
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