Media Contact Rick Sinkfield Public Relations Team Phone: (334) 725-8200 Email: [email protected]
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TUSKEGEE AIRMEN, INC. Media Contact Rick Sinkfield Public Relations Team Phone: (334) 725-8200 Email: [email protected] MEDIA KIT Revision 11152020 Deleted: 01162016 P. O Box 830060 Page 1 Tuskegee, AL 36083 www.tuskegeeairmen.org Table of Contents The Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. (TAI) Organization .............................................................................................. 3 TAI Mission ................................................................................................................................................ 3 Location ..................................................................................................................................................... 3 Brief History .................................................................................................................................................. 4 1938-1946. ................................................................................................................................................ 4 1946-1948. ................................................................................................................................................ 7 Pioneers .................................................................................................................................................... 7 Tuskegee Airmen Statistics ....................................................................................................................... 8 Noteworthy Accomplishments ............................................................................................................... 10 Common Misconceptions about the Tuskegee Airmen .............................................................................. 12 “All African-Americans in the U. S. Army Air Forces in WW II Were Tuskegee Airmen” ......................... 12 “The Tuskegee Airmen Never Lost a Bomber to Enemy Aircraft” ........................................................... 12 “There are Second Generation Tuskegee Airmen” .................................................................................. 12 Membership in TAI ...................................................................................................................................... 13 Donations and Planned Giving .................................................................................................................... 13 Tuskegee Airmen Museums and Historical Sites ........................................................................................ 14 Tuskegee Airmen Bronze Statues Nationwide ............................................................................................ 15 Partial list of Tuskegee Experience locations: ............................................................................................. 16 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) ........................................................................................................... 17 General Interview Questions for DOTAs ..................................................................................................... 18 P. O Box 830060 Page 2 Tuskegee, AL 36083 www.tuskegeeairmen.org Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. Fact Sheet The Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. (TAI) Moton Field, named for Robert Russa Organization Moton, second president of Tuskegee Institute, was built between 1940 and 1942. TAI is a 501(c)3, non-profit, national Deleted: )( organization existing primarily to motivate TAI Mission Deleted: 3) and inspire young Americans to become TAI strives to increase understanding of the participants in our nation’s society and its “Tuskegee Experience” by: democratic process. It also supports young men and women pursuing excellence, • Honoring the accomplishments and paying special attention to those interested perpetuating the history of the men and in careers in aviation, technology, aerospace women who participated in the and the sciences. “Tuskegee Experience” as air and ground crew operations and support in TAI is dedicated to keeping alive the the Army Air Corps during World War history, achievements, and importance of the II. original Tuskegee Airmen. • Introducing young people across the The term, "Tuskegee Airmen," refers to the nation to the world of aviation and men and women, African-Americans and science through local and national Caucasians, who were involved in the so- initiatives such as Young Eagles and called "Tuskegee Experience", the Army Air TAI youth programs Corps program to train African Americans to fly and maintain combat aircraft. • Providing awards to deserving individuals, groups and corporations The Tuskegee Airmen included pilots, radio whose deeds support TAI’s mission, operators, navigators, bombardiers, aircraft goals and objectives maintenance, support staff, instructors, and all the personnel who kept the planes in the Location air. TAI is headquartered in Tuskegee, Alabama (about 35 miles east of Montgomery), where Virtually all black military pilots during the training of black military pilots during World War II received their primary flight World War II began. training at Moton Field and then their basic and advanced flight training at Tuskegee There are currently 57 active chapters of Army Air Field (TAAF). TAI located in major cities and military installations throughout the United States. P. O Box 830060 Page 3 Tuskegee, AL 36083 www.tuskegeeairmen.org Brief History 1940. This act, which was also known as the Burke-Wadsworth Bill, was the first 1938-1946. peace-time draft in U.S. history. It The Tuskegee Airmen were dedicated, required all American males between the determined men and women who enlisted in ages of twenty-one and thirty-five to the U.S. Army Air Corps or served as register for the draft. The final version of civilian support staff in the “Tuskegee the bill contained two provisions, 3(a) Experience.” and 4(a), which spoke to the discrimination question: Three government initiatives occurred between 1938 and 1940 that were a. Section 3(a) stated – “Within the instrumental in paving the way for blacks to limits of the quota participate in the nation’s defense and to determined…Any person become military pilots. regardless of race or color…shall be afforded an 1) On December 27, 1938, President opportunity to volunteer for Roosevelt announced an experimental induction…and civilian pilot training program. That experimental program, which began in b. Section 4(a) stated – “In the early 1939, involved 330 openings at selection and training of men thirteen colleges, none of which were under this Act, and in the black. On January 12, 1939, President interpretation and execution of Roosevelt asked Congress to pass the provision of this Act, there legislation to authorize a permanent shall be no discrimination Civilian Pilot Training Program. The against any person on account of Civilian Pilot Training Act of 1939 was race or color.” passed on 27 June 1939, and funds were 3) That same year, the War Department appropriated for it in August. The announced that the Civil Aeronautics legislation included a provision that had Authority, in cooperation with the U.S. been inserted by Representative Everett Army, would begin development of Dirksen which called for the program “colored personnel” for the aviation not to exclude anyone on the basis of service. This paved the way for blacks to race. Most of the colleges and train as pilots and vital support universities that took part in the personnel. permanent CPT program beginning in These men and women came from every 1939 were white, or predominantly part of the country. Each one of them white, but six black colleges also took possessed a strong personal desire to serve part. A handful of black CPT students the United States of America to the best of attended predominantly white their ability. universities in the Northeast and Midwest. The first aviation class of 13 cadets began 2) In 1940, Congress passed the Selective July 19, 1941, with ground school training Service and Training Service Act, which covering subjects such as meteorology, was signed into law by President navigation, and instruments. Franklin Roosevelt on September 16, P. O Box 830060 Page 4 Tuskegee, AL 36083 www.tuskegeeairmen.org Successful cadets then transferred to the of that unit and, for that matter, of any black segregated Tuskegee Army Air Field flying unit. (TAAF) to complete the Army Air Corps pilot training. The Air Corps provided Of the pilots who trained at TAAF, 355 th th st aircraft, textbooks, pilot and mechanic served overseas with the 99 , 100 , 301 or nd uniforms, and parachutes. Tuskegee 302 Fighter Squadrons or the 332nd Institute furnished the facilities for the Fighter Group. The 332nd Fighter Group aircraft and personnel. The Army Air Corps was officially activated on October 13, (Army Air Forces) provided facilities, 1942, at TAAF. The Group was comprised equipment and supplies for men and planes of the 100th Fighter Squadron, the 301st at TAAF, the largest of the flying training Fighter Squadron, and the 302nd Fighter bases. Lt. Col. Noel F. Parrish served as the Squadron. base commander from 1942 to 1946. Between 1944 and 1945, dozens of black In March 1942, five of the 13 cadets in the officers served as commanders of the 99th, first class completed the Army Air Corps 100th, 301st, and 302nd Fighter pilot training program, earning their silver Squadrons. A more complete listing of wings and becoming the nation’s first black those individuals, the