Colorized photo of African-American military aviators standing in front of the Tuskegee plane

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Heroes in Flight

A group of Black pilots helped end segregation in the U.S. military. 

As You Read: Identify challenges that the Tuskegee Airmen faced while fighting the war and at home. 

CAF Rise Above

Harry Stewart Jr.

Flying over Europe, Harry Stewart Jr. was in a fight for his life. The pilot had just shot down two German planes. Now a third German plane was chasing him. Stewart jerked his plane back and forth as he dodged enemy bullets.  

“I was frightened to death,” says Stewart, who is now 99.

Finally, the German pilot lost control and crash-landed.

It was April 1, 1945. Stewart was fighting in World War II (1939-1945). He was one of the Tuskegee Airmen. They were the first Black pilots in the U.S. armed forces. 

Harry Stewart Jr. was flying over Europe. He was in a fight for his life. The pilot had just shot down two German planes. Now a third German plane was chasing him. Stewart had to dodge enemy bullets. So he jerked his plane back and forth. 

“I was frightened to death,” says Stewart. He is now 99 years old.

Finally, the German pilot lost control. The enemy plane crash-landed.

It was April 1, 1945. Stewart was fighting in World War II (1939-1945). He was one of the Tuskegee Airmen. They were the first Black pilots in the U.S. armed forces. 

A Dream Takes Flight 

Growing up in New York City, Stewart dreamed of flying a military plane. 

But the U.S. military was segregated. Black soldiers were not allowed in the same fighting groups as White soldiers. And they couldn’t be pilots. 

That changed in July 1941. The Army began training Black pilots at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama.

Stewart grew up in New York City. He dreamed of flying a military plane. 

But the U.S. military was segregated. Black soldiers were not allowed in the same fighting groups as White soldiers. And they couldn’t be pilots. 

That changed in July 1941. The Army began training Black pilots at the Tuskegee Institute. That’s in Alabama.

A Powerful Plane

The Tuskegee Airmen flew planes called P-51 Mustangs. They painted the backs, or tails, red. This earned them the nickname the “Red Tails.”

The Tuskegee Airmen flew planes called P-51 Mustangs. They painted the backs, or tails, red. This earned them the nickname the “Red Tails.”

Kevin Griffin/Alamy Stock Photo

Top speed: 440 mph

Top altitude, or height, it could fly: 42,000 feet

Wingspan: 37 feet

Top speed: 440 mph

Top altitude, or height, it could fly: 42,000 feet

Wingspan: 37 feet

Proving They Could 

When Stewart turned 18, he enlisted and was accepted at Tuskegee in 1943. 

On the way to training camp, Stewart had to ride in a train car for only Black people. He had to eat behind a curtain so White passengers wouldn’t see him. 

The unfair treatment didn’t stop Stewart. After being sent to Europe to fight in WWII, he flew 43 missions protecting U.S. bombers from German planes. The Tuskegee Airmen shot down 112 enemy planes, helping the U.S. win the war.

Their success also helped change the U.S. military. In 1948, it became integrated.

Stewart enlisted when he turned 18. And he was accepted at Tuskegee in 1943. 

On the way to training camp, Stewart had to ride in a train car for only Black people. He had to eat behind a curtain. That way, White passengers wouldn’t see him.

The unfair treatment didn’t stop Stewart. After being sent to Europe to fight in WWII, he flew 43 missions. During those missions, he protected U.S. bombers from German planes. The Tuskegee Airmen shot down 112 enemy planes. This helped the U.S. win the war.

Their success also helped change the U.S. military. In 1948, it became integrated.

Pause and Think

Name one way U.S. soldiers were segregated in WWII.

Name one way U.S. soldiers were segregated in WWII.

Sharing His Story

CAF Rise Above 

Harry Stewart Jr., 1945 

Still, Black soldiers came home to discrimination after the war. For instance, Stewart tried to get a job flying planes for two different airlines. Neither airline would hire a Black pilot. 

But Stewart remained positive and strong. Today, he continues to tell his story to people. He hopes what he did will inspire future generations.

“Use it as an example of how great this country can be,” says Stewart. “Go after what you want with all of your heart and soul.”

Still, Black soldiers came home to discrimination after the war. For instance, Stewart tried to get a job flying planes for two different airlines. Neither airline would hire a Black pilot. 

But Stewart remained positive and strong. Today, he continues to tell his story to people. He hopes what he did will inspire future generations.

“Use it as an example of how great this country can be,” says Stewart. “Go after what you want with all of your heart and soul.”

What Was World War II?

During World War II, the United States joined a group of nations called the Allies. They fought to defeat countries that were known as the Axis Powers. 

During World War II, the United States joined a group of nations called the Allies. They fought to defeat countries that were known as the Axis Powers. 

Jim McMahon/Mapman®

How It Began: Germany wanted to control Europe. Other countries, like Italy and Japan, also wanted to take over other nations. On September 1, 1939, the German army marched into Poland to take over that country. France and Great Britain declared war on Germany. World War II had begun. 

How It Began: Germany wanted to control Europe. Other countries, like Italy and Japan, also wanted to take over other nations. On September 1, 1939, the German army marched into Poland to take over that country. France and Great Britain declared war on Germany. World War II had begun. 

Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Attack on Pearl Harbor, 1941

The U.S. Joins the Fight: The U.S. tried to stay out of the war. But on December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. That’s a U.S. military base in Hawaii. The attack led the U.S. to enter the war the next day. 

What Happened Next: Soon, war spread around the globe. Battles were fought in Europe, Asia, and Africa. It was the biggest war in history. More than 100 million people died. WWII ended in 1945 when the Allies won the war. 

The U.S. Joins the Fight: The U.S. tried to stay out of the war. But on December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. That’s a U.S. military base in Hawaii. The attack led the U.S. to enter the war the next day. 

What Happened Next: Soon, war spread around the globe. Battles were fought in Europe, Asia, and Africa. It was the biggest war in history. More than 100 million people died. WWII ended in 1945 when the Allies won the war. 

1. How does the author show that the Tuskegee Airmen played an important role in World War II?

2. Describe examples of unfair treatment Harry Stewart Jr. experienced before and after the war.

3. Why does Stewart tell his story today?

1. How does the author show that the Tuskegee Airmen played an important role in World War II?

2. Describe examples of unfair treatment Harry Stewart Jr. experienced before and after the war.

3. Why does Stewart tell his story today?

Black & white photo of Rosa Parks sitting at the front of a bus
Bettmann/Getty Images
discrimination

noun

prejudice based on race

 

In 1955, Rosa Parks took a stand against discrimination by refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a White person in Montgomery, Alabama.
Photo of a Military soldier
iStockPhoto/Getty Images
enlisted

verb, past tense

signed up for military service

 

Selena enlisted in the U.S. military because she wanted to serve her country.
Black & white photo of a sink labeled, "White Only"
Thomas D Mcavoy/The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock
segregated

verb, past tense

separated based on race

 

For much of the 1900s, many Southern states segregated people based on their skin color.
Black & white photo of a Black student about to attend a desegregated school
Bettmann/Getty Images
integrated

adjective

including people of any race

 

When schools in the South became integrated, Ruby Bridges was one of the first Black students to attend an all-white school.
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