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Heroes in Flight

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

As You Read, Think About: What challenges did the Tuskegee Airmen face overseas and at home? 

Flying Into History
Watch a video to learn more about these brave and determined Americans.

Pilot Harry Stewart Jr. was in a fight for his life. He had just shot down two German planes over Austria. Now a third closed in. Stewart zigzagged across the sky, dodging bullets.  

“I was frightened to death,” recalls Stewart, now 98.

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

It was April 1, 1945. Stewart was in Europe fighting in World War II (1939-1945). He was one of the Tuskegee Airmen—the first Black pilots in the U.S. armed forces. Stewart says they actually faced two enemies. 

“We were defending freedom in another country while we faced discrimination at home,” he explains. 

Pilot Harry Stewart Jr. was in a fight for his life. He had just shot down two German planes over Austria. Now a third closed in. Stewart zigzagged across the sky. He was dodging bullets.  

“I was frightened to death,” recalls Stewart, now 98.

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

It was April 1, 1945. Stewart was in Europe 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. Stewart says they actually faced two enemies. 

“We were defending freedom in another country while we faced discrimination at home,” he explains. 

CAF Rise Above

Harry Stewart Jr., 1945 (above left) and 2022 (top right)

A Dream Takes Flight

Stewart grew up in New York City, a few miles from what is now LaGuardia Airport. He would watch military planes take off, dreaming of flying one.

But the U.S. military was segregated at the time. Black soldiers were not allowed in the same units as White soldiers. They were kept out of many military jobs—including being pilots. 

Then in July 1941, the U.S. Army began training Black pilots at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. 

Stewart grew up in New York City. He lived a few miles from what is now LaGuardia Airport. He would watch military planes take off. He dreamed of flying one.

But the U.S. military was segregated at the time. Black soldiers were not allowed in the same units as White soldiers. They were kept out of many military jobs. This included being pilots. 

Then in July 1941, the U.S. Army began training Black pilots. They trained at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. 

Shutterstock.com

The Tuskegee Airmen painted the backs of their P-51 Mustangs red, earning them the nickname the “Red Tails.”

A Different World

On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, a U.S. Navy base in Hawaii. The U.S. then entered World War II. Stewart was in high school. When he turned 18, he enlisted and was accepted into the Tuskegee program in 1943. 

Stewart was in for a shock. He had grown up in an area that was largely integrated. But segregation was the law in many areas of the U.S., especially in the South.

On the way to training camp in Mississippi, Stewart was forced to sit in a train car for only Black people. When he ate in the dining car, a worker pulled a curtain around Stewart so the White passengers wouldn’t see him. 

On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. It was a U.S. Navy base in Hawaii. The U.S. then entered World War II. Stewart was in high school. When he turned 18, he enlisted. He was then accepted into the Tuskegee program in 1943. 

Stewart was in for a shock. He had grown up in an area that was largely integrated. But segregation was the law in many areas of the U.S., especially in the South.

On the way to training camp in Mississippi, Stewart was forced to sit in a train car for only Black people. When he ate in the dining car, a worker pulled a curtain around Stewart. This was so the White passengers wouldn’t see him. 

Proving They Could

Stewart didn’t let the unfair treatment stop him. He flew 43 missions alongside U.S. bomber planes, protecting them from being shot down. The Airmen shot down 112 planes, helping the U.S. win the war.

Their success helped change the U.S. military. In 1948, President Harry S. Truman announced that the U.S. armed forces would become integrated.

Still, Black soldiers came home to discrimination. Stewart applied for pilot jobs with two airlines—but neither would hire a Black pilot. 

“As proud as I was to fight for freedom, it was discouraging to return home to find that little had changed,” says Stewart.

Stewart retired from the military in 1950. He continues to tell his story, hoping to 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.”

Stewart didn’t let the unfair treatment stop him. He flew 43 missions alongside U.S. bomber planes during the war. He protected them from being shot down. The Tuskegee Airmen shot down 112 planes. They helped the U.S. win the war.

Their success helped change the U.S. military. In 1948, President Harry S. Truman announced that the U.S. armed forces would become integrated.

Still, Black soldiers came home to discrimination. Stewart applied for pilot jobs with two airlines. But neither would hire a Black pilot. 

“As proud as I was to fight for freedom, it was discouraging to return home to find that little had changed,” says Stewart.

Stewart retired from the military in 1950. He continues to tell his story. And he hopes to 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 You Need to Know About The Tuskegee Airmen

  • There were about 14,000 Tuskegee Airmen. That included drivers, mechanics, and medics.
  • The program trained 992 men to become pilots.
  • The Tuskegee Airmen flew more than 1,500 missions during World War II. Sadly, 150 Airmen died during the course of the war.
  • The Tuskegee Airmen were part of the 332nd Fighter Group.
Library of Congress

What You Need to Know About The Tuskegee Airmen

  • There were about 14,000 Tuskegee Airmen. That included drivers, mechanics, and medics.
  • The program trained 992 men to become pilots.
  • The Tuskegee Airmen flew more than 1,500 missions during World War II. Sadly, 150 Airmen died during the course of the war.
  • The Tuskegee Airmen were part of the 332nd Fighter Group.
Library of Congress
  1. The article states that the Tuskegee Airmen “faced two enemies.” What does this mean?
  2. How did Harry Stewart Jr. feel when he returned from the war and looked for a job as a pilot? Use evidence from the article.
  3. Why does Stewart tell his story today?
  1. The article states that the Tuskegee Airmen “faced two enemies.” What does this mean?
  2. How did Harry Stewart Jr. feel when he returned from the war and looked for a job as a pilot? Use evidence from the article.
  3. Why does Stewart tell his story today?
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