I use this site for gouge and to gather information. I rarely post anything. Indeed, I am a forum lurker at best. However, I find this post disturbing in the sense that there are remarks attempting to downplay the accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen. First, I do not understand how the "Negro" comment is relevant. Please enlighten me. I also respectfully disagree with the assertion that the 332nd was JUST a normal American fighting group. The fact that civil rights leaders, military and civilian, had to lobby for 20+ years to get Congress to pass a law just to establish training for these pilots should be enough to end the argument. However, I will elaborate.
For starters, let's be honest and put aside the idea that they were "No more…and certainly no LESS…elite than tens of thousands of Americans of every description and ethnic background" fighting for freedom in WWII. Although this may be true in part, it is rather misleading due to the fact that 90-100% of all military aviators at that time were white men. As a matter of fact, the Tuskegee Airmen were one of, if not the most, elite fighter group of this period. But, don't take my word for it. There are plenty of facts to back that up.
Unlike their white counter-parts, the Tuskegee airman were required to have some degree of flight experience and had to over-perform on standardized tests just to enter training. In addition, they had to deal with racism and segregation inside and and outside the forces.
It is not like they were given a golden hammer and told to strike. But these men were able to overcome a great deal and defend our great country. We should always give credit where credit is due. This is a great America story; a story adds to the fabric of who we are as a nation. It has less to do with ethnicity, race, or creed and more to do with a great story of triumph and resolve in the face of adversity. Please do not downplay their accomplishments.
