Tuskegee Airmen Get Award Today

During World War II, a group of African American fighter pilots, known as the Tuskegee Airmen, after the Alabama airfield where most of them trained, accomplished many feats of heroism with no thought of self, and in spite of the racism and bigotry heaped upon them. Often being the only protection of the bombers they escorted, they proved that the African American pilot was just as capable as his Caucasian counterpart.

In the news today, it was announced that these brave men, many of whom have long since passed away, were being honored with the Congressional Gold Medal, which is the highest civilian honor available in the United States. There are two problems with this award as I see it. For one thing, these men deserved the Congressional Medal of Honor for their brave service during the duration of World War II. Secondly, Why did it take sixty years to honor these heroes that risked their lives and withstood derision and racial hostility with pride and dignity?

These pilots were credited with shooting down 111 German planes during the course of their service, and never lost one bomber that they escorted. They were the only squadron to be able to claim this record, and were feared by the Germans, and well respected by the bomber pilots that they escorted, in spite of the common belief of the era that Black citizens were somehow less than human and unable to learn complicated tasks like flying a fighter plane.

It seems to me that we as a nation owe our gratitude to these brave men, and that we should have honored them for their bravery and their service sixty years ago.

They came from all over the country, were harassed and ostracized, and weren't even allowed to enter the officer's clubs on the bases where they were stationed. In spite of all the adversity, they performed their duty to the best of their ability, and did it well, and they should be commended and held as benchmarks of military excellence.