Due to the rigid pattern of racial segregation that prevailed in the United States during World War II, over 966 Black military aviators were trained at an isolated training complex near the town of Tuskegee, Alabama and at Tuskegee Institute now known as Tuskegee University. Four Hundred and fifty black fighter pilots under the command of Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., (who was to later become the U. S. Air Force's first Black General) fought in the aerial war over North Africa, Sicily and Europe flying in secession, P-40, P-39, P-47, and P-51 type aircraft. These gallant men flew 15,553 sorties and completed 1578 missions with the 12th Tactical U. S. Army Air Force and the 15th Strategic U. S. Army Air Force.
Information retrieved from the Black Military History Website
