(Updated) Tuskegee Airmen Honored by Atlanta City Council

Editor's Note: Atlanta City Councilman Michael Bond presented a 70th anniversary proclamation to the Tuskegee Airman in December, before any major 'Red Tails' promos. Here is our original report.

They overcame segregation and discrimination to become one of the most highly respected fighter groups of World War II. They proved conclusively that African-Americans could fly and maintain sophisticated combat aircraft. The Tuskegee Airmen's achievements, together with the men and women who supported them, paved the way for full integration of the U.S. military on July 26, 1948.

In recognition of the 70th Anniversary of the creation of the nation’s first all African-American pursuit squadron, Atlanta City Councilmember Michael Julian Bond presented proclamations honoring the bravery of the surviving Tuskegee Airmen – men and women - of the metro Atlanta area on Monday at Atlanta City Hall. Councilmember Bond was joined by Mayor Kasim Reed, other members of the Atlanta City Council, family, friends and special guests.

“It is a privilege to honor such esteemed individuals,” said Bond.

Of the Tuskegee Airmen who live in metro Atlanta, twelve were on hand during Monday’s reception and proclamation ceremony. They included: Technical Sgt. Val Archer, Sgt. Crew Chief Norris Connally, Lt. Nurse Irma Cameron Dryden, Cadet Leroy Eley, Sgt. Edward Johnson, Flight Officer/Pilot Hiram Little, Master Sgt. Earl Martin, Inspector (Civilian)Wilbur Mason, Supply Technician (Civilian) James “Alley Pat” Patrick, Civilian Clerk Sara Plummer, Corporal James Simpson and Flight Officer/Pilot Raymond Williams.

Pilot Ray Williams said he dreamed of becoming a pilot since the age of 7 after hearing of Charles Lindbergh’s solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in 1927. But his skin color was a barrier.

“But there were so many walls for us to climb, until it was almost impossible,” Williams said, “This is a unique award and a wonderful appreciation. It tells us that we did a good job.”

According to historians those who served at Tuskegee Army Air Field or in any of the programs stemming from the ‘Tuskegee Experience’ between the years 1941 and 1949 is considered to be a documented original Tuskegee Airman.

The military selected Tuskegee Institute to train pilots because of its commitment to aeronautical training. Tuskegee had the facilities, and engineering and technical instructors, as well as a climate for year round flying. The first Civilian Pilot Training Program students completed their instruction in May 1940. The Tuskegee program was then expanded and became the center for African-American aviation during World War II.

There were 44 classes that graduated during the Tuskegee Experience including 996 pilots. Of the graduates, 352 pilots were deployed overseas (Europe) for combat duty.

Tuskegee Army Air Field closed August 20, 1946.

“This is a great American story; one that needs to be told and re-told to generations to come,” said Councilmember Bond.

“Whether you are a civilian or military, we extend an invitation to all to join us in preserving the legacy of these distinguished individuals,” said renowned researcher, historian and author Zellie Rainey Orr, president of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. Atlanta Chapter -- a non-profit, dedicated to continuing the Airmen’s legacy though various youth and other aviation education programs.

On November 6, 1998, President Bill Clinton approved Public Law 105-355, which established the Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site at Moton Field in Tuskegee, Alabama, to commemorate and interpret the heroic actions of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II.

The Tuskegee Airmen were collectively, not individually, awarded the Congressional Gold Medal (CGM) by President George W. Bush and the U.S. Congress on March 29, 2007 in a ceremony inside the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. The 300 airmen and widows, who attended the ceremony, received the CGM for all of the estimated 16-19,000 participants of the “Tuskegee Experience.”

By the numbers:

• 84 Tuskegee Airmen were killed overseas during WWII.

• 80 pilots lost their lives in combat, training, flying and non-flying accidents.

• 68 pilots were identified as either KIA or MIA.

• 12 pilots were killed overseas in training accidents or non-combat related incidents.

• 30 pilots were downed or captured as POWs.

• 4 enlisted persons were killed overseas while in the performance of their duties.

During WWII, the Tuskegee Airmen (then known as the “Red Tails”) flew:

1267 missions and 6381 combat sorties with the 12th Air Force (June, 1943 to May, 1944)

311 missions and 9152 combat sorties with the 15th Air Force (June, 1944 to May, 1945)

Total Missions: 1578

Total Combat Sorties: 15,533

Total Aerial Kills: 112

For more information on the Tuskegee Airmen visit http://www.tuskegeeairmen.org/ or 
http://atlantachaptertuskegeeairmen.com/