DMAVA february 2, 2012 HIGHLIGHTS Red Tail Angels: The story of the Tuskegee Airmen By Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen, 177th FW/PA Prior to World War II, the Airfield to complete their pilot situation for African-American training. military aviators was grim. Class 42C earned their The Army Air Corps had wings in March 1942, becoming completely barred blacks from the nation’s first black military their ranks and the other ser- pilots. Between 1941 and 1945, vices had assigned blacks only Tuskegee trained 994 aviators the most menial of duties. for the war effort, 445 would be Their reasoning was based on deployed, 66 were killed in ac- an Army War College study, tion and 32 were shot down and which stated that blacks, by na- became prisoners of war. ture, were physically, mentally Despite all the training, the and psychologically unfit for unit did not receive their de- combat duty. ployment orders. After months Civil rights organizations of delays by the War Depart- and the black press exerted ment, the 400 Airmen of the pressure that, combined with 99th Fighter Squadron were de- congressional legislation, re- ployed to North Africa in April sulted in the formation of 99th 1943. The 99th became part of Fighter Squadron based at the 332nd Fighter Group, which the Tuskegee Institute in June was comprised of the 100th, Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress 1941. The graduates of that pro- 301st, and 302nd African- 332nd was supposed to be re- Croix de Guerre and the Red gram would become known as American Fighter Squadrons lieved by another fighter unit Star of Yugoslavia. the Tuskegee Airmen. based in Italy. The 332nd was prior to arriving at the target, so In 2005, Tuskegee Airmen Class 42C, the first Tuskeg- initially based at Montecorvino when the relieving unit didn’t Lt. Cols. Lee Archer and Rob- ee class, began training on July Air Base near Salerno, Italy and show up, the 332nd continued ert Ashby, along with Master 19, 1941 and included 12 cadets then moved to Capodichino the mission and went on to Sgt. James Sheppard, and Tech. and one student officer Capt. Airfield and finally to Ramitelli shoot down numerous enemy Sgt. George Watson flew to Benjamin O. Davis Jr. Airfield near Ancona, where, fighters including three - Ger Balad, Iraq, to speak to active In 1936, Davis was the first under Davis’ command flew man Me-262 jet fighters. As a duty Airmen serving with the African American to gradu- missions over Sicily, the Medi- result, the 332nd was awarded a 332nd Air Expeditionary Wing. ate from West Point Military terranean and North Africa. Distinguished Unit Citation for During a ceremony at the Academy in 47 years and only American bomber crews “outstanding performance and air base, Lt. Gen. Walter E. Bu- the fourth to ever graduate from nicknamed the 332nd the Red extraordinary heroism” for the chanan III, Commander of the the institute. Davis served as an Tails or Red Tail Angels after mission. and U.S. Cen- aide to his father, Brig. Gen. the distinctive red tail mark- By war’s end, the 332nd tral Command Air Forces, said Benjamin O. Davis Sr., at Fort ings on the vertical stabiliz- completed 15,553 sorties, that: “This group represents the Benning, Ga., before transfer- ers of the unit’s fighters. The 1,578 missions, destroyed or linkage between the greatest ring to Tuskegee. He would Luftwaffe called the Tuskegee damaged 409 enemy aircraft, generation of Airmen and the later retire as an Air Force lieu- Airmen “Die Schwarze Vogel- sank one enemy destroyer, latest generation of Airmen.” tenant general, the Air Force’s menschen”, literally the Black and destroyed numerous en- The Tuskegee Airmen first black general and the- na Birdmen. emy installations. The Tuske- overcame prejudice and helped tion’s second African American On March 24, 1945, Lt. Col. gee Airmen’s awards included pave the way for President general officer. Davis led the 332nd on a 1,600- two Distinguished Unit Cita- Harry S. Truman’s Executive After completing basic mile mission to Berlin where tions, 150 Distinguished Flying Order 9981, which mandated training at nearby Moton Field, they escorted B-17 bombers Crosses, several Silver Stars, “equality of treatment and op- the Airmen were sent to the whose mission was to level the eight Purple Hearts, 14 Bronze portunity” for all members of segregated Tuskegee Army Daimler-Benz tank works. The Stars, 744 Air Medals, the the armed forces in July 1948. HIGHLIGHTS

Brig. Gen. Michael L. Cunniff, left, the Acting Adjutant General of New rant Officer, during a promotion ceremony on Jan. 26, at New Jer- Jersey, and Capt. Eric A. Balint, right, , pin chief warrant sey’s Joint Force Headquarter in Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. officer 5 rank on Vic Balint, State Command Chief War- (Photo by Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA)

N.J. Vietnam Veteran’s foundation to host benefit seminar in April The New Jersey Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation in conjunction with the Veterans Administration Health Care Com- munity Outreach Team invites you to a FREE seminar on Saturday, April 14, at the Vietnam Era Museum and Education Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Come to this informative event and learn about the VA health care system. At 10:15 a.m., there will be a 45-minute presenta- tion regarding health care eligibility and benefits followed by a questions-and-answers session. Any veteran that is currently enrolled and wants to learn more The New Jersey Army National Guard’s combined 197 years about their health care benefits is encouraged to attend, and also of experience pose for a photo around newly promoted Chief learn about non-health related benefits such as: home loans, life Warrant Officer 5 Vic Balint, center, New Jersey State Com- insurance, filing disability claims, and death and burial benefits. mand Chief Warrant Officer following his promotion ceremony Furthermore, a VA mobile health unit will be on site for any at Joint Force Headquarters in Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lake- hurst on Jan. 26. From left to right, Chief Warrant Officer 5 “eligible” veteran to receive a brief health care assessment, includ- Chris Millevoi, State Training Officer, JFHQ-NJ; Chief Warrant ing blood pressure check and patient education. Any veteran seek- Officer 5 Jeff Angle, State Standardization Officer, JFHQ-NJ; ing information about how to enroll in the VA health care system Warrant Officer 1 Aysu Cesmebasi - New Jersey’s newest war- should bring their DD-214. rant officer, retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Norman Stewart, the first chief warrant officer 5 in the Army and Attendees are asked to RSVP their attendance to 732-335-0033. Chief Warrant Officer 5 Jim den Hartog, State Standardization The Educational Center is located at the New Jersey Vietnam Officer. (Photo by Master Sgt. Mark C. Olsen, NJDMAVA/PA) Veterans’ Memorial off Exit 116 in the Garden State Parkway. Page 2 HIGHLIGHTS

New Jersey National Guardsmen in Afghanistan

U.S. Air Force photos by Staff Sgt. Joseph Hardwood, 455th AEW/PA

Photos left, right and below, maintainers from the , Atlantic City, perform early morning maintenance on several F-16C+ Fighting Falcons at Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan on Jan. 28. The aircrafts and Guardsmen are deployed here from New Jersey in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

ECM pod mechanic Staff Sgt. Stephen W. Gall, 177th Fighter Wing, performs an inventory check of Viper Support, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, Jan. 28.

Information manager Senior Airman Marie Turbo jet mechanic Airman 1st Class Ian Madara and personnelist Airman 1st Class Colon-Cotto, 177th Fighter Wing, during Christine L. Fryling, both with the 177th an inventory check of Viper Support, Ba- Fighter Wing, during an inventory check gram Airfield, Afghanistan, Jan. 28. Colon- of Viper Support, Bagram Airfield, -Af Cotto is currently deployed here to sup- ghanistan, Jan. 28. The 177th FW’s F-16C+ port coalition forces providing close air Fighting Falcons are known as the Vipers. support.

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Discounted tickets to Rutgers game Attention New Jersey veterans and military service members: Enjoy Rutgers University men and women’s basketball games at discounted prices. All 200 and 300 level tickets will be 50 percent off regular price for the men’s basketball game against Seton Hall on Feb. 8, at 9 p.m. All 100 level tickets will be $15 (normally $35) and all general admission tickets will be $5 (normally $15) for the women’s bas- ketball game against Seton Hall on Feb. 21, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased online by clicking on the below link: https://ev12.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/EVExecMacro?linkID= Give Kids a Smile Day scheduled rutgers&evm=prmo&RSRC=&RDAT=&caller=PR Type in the code “NJDMAVA” in the box and click the “go” for Feb 3 in New Jersey button. You will be taken to a page where the tickets can be pur- Attention, the New Jersey Dental Association is participat- chased at the discounted rate. Or you can call 866-445-GORU ing in the “Give Kids a Smile Day”, which is scheduled for (4678). Offer is only good while tickets are available. Friday, Feb. 3. Both games will be played at the Louis Brown Athletic Center, All children ages 3-12 can receive FREE dental care which is located at 83 Rockafeller Road in Piscataway. throughout New Jersey by participating dentists, regardless of the parents’ income. Comedy night at Paramus Elks Services that may be rendered include oral hygiene instruc- tions, screenings, cleanings, x-rays, fillings, extractions, fluo- The New Jersey Elks National Veterans Service Commission is ride treatments, stainless steel crowns and much more. hosting a comedy night on Saturday, March 10 as a fundraiser for An appointment is needed. Please follow this important homeless veterans. link http://www.njda.org/GKAS/docs/2012-PARTICIPATING- Featuring several comedians at the Paramus Elks Lodge# 2001 LOCATIONS.pdf to view a list of participating dentists around at 7 p.m., tickets will be sold for $30 per person. New Jersey. For tickets or more information, call 908-510-8503. For more information about the program, please visit the Paramus Elks Lodge# 2001 is located at 200 N. Street, Route NJDA’s website at http://www.njda.org/GKAS/. 17 in Paramus.

DMAVA Highlights is published weekly by the Public Affairs Of- New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs fice of the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Brig. Gen. Michael L. Cunniff – The Adjutant General (Acting) The views and opinions expressed herein are not necessarily those Brig. Gen. James J. Grant – Director, Joint Staff of the Department of Defense, the Army, the Air Force, the National Raymond Zawacki – Deputy Commissioner for Veterans Affairs Guard, Veterans Affairs or the state of New Jersey. Letters may be sent Chief Warrant Officer 3 Patrick Daugherty – Public Affairs Officer to: NJDMAVA, DMAVA Highlights, Public Affairs Office, PO Box Air Force Staff Sgt. Armando Vasquez - Public Affairs Specialist 340, Trenton NJ 08625-0340. e-mail at [email protected]. Army Staff Sgt. Wayne Woolley – Public Affairs Specialist Page 4