Gallery X

Jackie Wilson (left) and Ray Robinson have fought two bitterly contested ring encounters. Now, it's Sergeant Wilson and Private Robinson in the same Aviation Squadron at Mitchel Field, New York, and they stand shoulder to shoulder - ready for a fight to the death on the Axis. Photo dated 1943. From the National Archives and Records Administration collection, photograph 208-PU 214B-5.

Six P-51 Mustangs of the 332nd Fighter Group buzz their home base in Italy after returning from a bomber escort mission. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection, Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Crewmembers of the 332nd Fighter Group receive their briefing prior to a mission. The status board in the background indicates pertinent information for the aircrews. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection, Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Four pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group head for their P-40 Warhawk Aircraft after receiving their daily mission briefing. They will soon be on a bomber-escort mission over enemy territory. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection, Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Col. Herbert E. "Gene" Carter, of the 332bd Fighter Group studies the recently completed "nose art" on his P-40 Warhawk. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection, Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Fitted with a parachute harness and an inflatable life vest, Captain Campbell is ready for the worst. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection, Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Home base for the 99th Fighter Squadron in Italy. From here the Tuskegee Airmen flew a variety of combat missions. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection, Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Junior officers gaze at the camera and ponder their future. From L-R, front row, Cadets Charles Hall, George Bolling, Herbert Clark; second row, Paul Mitchell, Spann Watson, Willie Ashley, Louis Purnell, Erwin Lawrence; third row, Allan Lane, Graham Smith, William Campbell, and Faythe McGinnis. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection, Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

The captain's attire belies his swagger. He looks like sombody who has just been rescued. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection, Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Lt. Andrew D. Marshall, pilot in the 332d Fighter Group of the Mediterranean Allied Air force had his plane shot up by flak during a strafing mission over Greece before the Allied invasion. When he came down all that was left of the plane was his engine and himself. But he only suffered some bruises and cuts. Greeks hid him from the Nazis, then directed him to the British forces when they parachuted into Greece. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection, Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Erwin B. Lawrence, Cleveland, Ohio, Assistant Operations Officer in the original 99th Fighter Squadron, sits in the cockpit following a bomber escort mission. Autographed. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection, Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

A ground crew member of the Tuskegee Airmen prepares to load a bomb on the aircraft's bomb rack. The ground crew made sure their pilots had the best advantage possible for their missions against the enemy. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection, Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Ground crewmembers of the 332d Fighter Group load bombs at the group's bomb dump. The bomb-laden trailers were then towed to the flight line and the crew loaded each of the group's aircraft for the day's mission. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection, Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

A waist gunner on a B-25 handles the .50 caliber machine gun. This Tuskegee Airman gunner is appropriately dressed for the extreme temperatures at high altitudes. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection, Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Lt Col Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., commanding officer of the 332d Fighter Group, leans against his aircraft prior to a combat mission. From the Col Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret) collection, Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama, and a US Air Force Photo courtesy of Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum Foundation.

Flight Officer James O. Bryson wearing the service cap (eagle on front) and the winter blouse uniform with U.S. flying insignias on the lapel. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection, Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Lt. Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., commanding officer of the 332d Fighter Group, briefs his aircrews prior to a bomber-escort mission. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection, Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Lt. Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., commanding officer of the 332d Fighter Group, sits in the cockpit of his P-51 Mustang fighter as he talks to officers in charge of the ground crews. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection, Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

The ground crew members prepare to load (these appear to be 500 Ibs) bombs on the 99th Fighter Squadron's P-40 aircraft. The bombs were towed on specially-built trailers from the bomb dump to the flight line. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection, Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Perhaps Captain Charles B. Hall of Brazil, Indiana, received more fame as a pilot than any black other than Col Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. On July 2, 1943, Hall destroyed a Focke-Wulf 190 over Castelvetrano. This gave him the honor of being the first black to destroy an enemy aircraft in aerial combat. For this accomplishment he was personally congratulated by Gen Dwight D. Eisenhower, Allied Commander in Chief, Maj. Gen Jimmy Doolittle, Commanding Officer of the 8th Air Force, Gen Carl Spaaz, Commander of the United States Strategic Air Force, and Air Marshal Cunningham of the Royal Air Force. He later won the Distingushed Flying Cross for aerial combat action in January 1944. From the Air University/HO, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, collection.

SSgt Conige C. Mormon, a crew chief in the 332nd Fighter Group, 15th AAF, Italy, cleans the glass of his pilot's North American P-5l Mustang, Clarence D. Lester, Chicago, lll. From the Air University/HO, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, collection. US Air Force Photo. USAF Negative Number 53700 AC.

This is a picture of Captain Armour G. McDaniels who was shot down while escorting bombers to Berlin in March 1945. He is surrounded (L to R) by Sergeant Richard Adams, McDaniels, Lt James McFatridge and Ulysses Taylor. From the Air University/HO, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, collection.

Here are a few of the men who keep the all-black 332nd Fighter Group of the 15th AAF in the air. Powerful engines of the group's North American P-51 Mustangs require expert mechanics, and these men are just that...having attended AAF schools in the U.S. Left to right: SSgt Calvin P. Thierry of New York City, prop specialist; SSgt William E. Pitts of Los Angeles, Calif., engine specialist; and SSgt Harold T. Cobb, Atlantic Highlands, N. J. Crew Chief. From the Air University/HO, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, collection. US Air Force Photo. USAF Negative Number 53703 AC.

Italy - Gen. Benjamin O. Davis pins the Distinguished Flying Cross on his son, Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., of Washington, D.C. Capt. Joseph D. Elsberry, of Langston, OK, 1st Lt. Jack D. Holsclaw, of Spokane, Wash.; and 1st Lt. Clarence D. Lester, of Chicago, TI1., await their turn to be decorated. From the Air University/HO, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, collection. US Air Force Photo. USAF Negative Number 54362 AC.

Italy - Maj Gen. Benjamin O. Davis shakes hands after pinning the Distinguished Flying Cross on his son, Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., of Washington, D.C. Capt. Joseph D. Elsberry, of Langston, OK; 1st Lt. Jack D. Holsclaw, of Spokane, Wash.; and Ist Lt. Clarence D. Lester, of Chicago, IL., await their turn to be decorated. From the Air University/HO, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, collection.

PFC John T. Fields of the 332d Fighter Group inspects the ammunition in a P-51 Mustang. The ground crew took all precautions to make sure their pilot's guns did not jam while on a combat mission. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection, Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

In the field, airmen work out the solution to a tough challenge. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection, Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Two young Tuskegee Airmen aviators take a break between flights. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection, Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Lt. Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., commanding officer of the 99th Fighter Squadron sits in the cockpit in preparation of a bomber escort mission over enemy territory. From the Air University/HO, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, collection. US Air Force Photo.

Members of the original 99th Fighter Squadron pose in front of a P-40 aircraft, which they used to escort medium bombers to the western sector of Sicily. From the Air University/HO, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, collection.

Cadets at Tuskegee Army Air Field pose beside a P-40 aircraft. Later, they participated in the combat operations of the 332nd Fighter Group. From the Air University/HO, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, collection.

A North American P-51C aircraft as delivered to the Tuskegee Airmen in Italy. Ground crews immediately painted the distinctive red tail markings of each aircraft as it was delivered to the 99th Fighter Squadron.

Surrounded by hundreds of appreciative Gl's at a heavy bomber base in Italy, SSgt. Joe Louis reverses his role and keeps the other boys slugging. The world heavyweight champ is currently touring bases in Italy where he gets a royal welcome with his comedy skit, boxing-and-refereeing. The boys in the ring are putting out their best effort for Joe's eagle-eye and the champ seems a little leary about getting too close to these flailing punches. From the Air University/HO, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, collection. US Air Force Photo. USAF Negative Number 53999 AC.

Lt. Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., commanding officer of the 332nd Fighter Group sits in the cockpit in preparation of a bomber escort mission over enemy territory. From the Air University/HO, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, collection. US Air Force Photo.

Class 42-G, Cadets. L-R, Kneeling ,Front row, Leon Roberts, Walter Lawson, , standing L-R middle row, John Rogers, Eugene King, John McClure, on wing, Richard Davis, and Willie Fuller. pose beside one of their squadron's P-40 aircraft on August 1, 1942. From the HQ AETCIHO, Randolph AFB, Texas, collection.

They were called the "Schwartze Volgelmenschen" (Black Birdmen) by the Germans who both feared and respected them. White American bomber crews reverently referred to them as ''The Redtailed Angels" because of the identifying red paint on their tail assemblies and because of their reputation for not losing bombers to enemy fighters as they provided fighter escort to bombing missions over strategic targets in Europe. Shown here, a P-51 "Redtailed Angel" makes a strafing pass over a German airfield in Italy.

Ollie Stewart, Art Carter, and Vincent Tubbs, reporters for the Afro-American. a weekly newspaper, compare notes. Focusing on the 99th Fighter Squadron and the Tuskegee Airmen, Art Carter, sent many stories back to the United States for publication.

Elizabeth PhiIlips of the Afro-American, a weekly newspaper, was the first black woman war correspondent to go overseas in World War II. Shown here interviewing a group of Tuskegee Airmen, Ms Phillips covered a wide range of subjects of interest to her readers.

"United We Win." Color poster featuring a photograph by Howard Liberman of integrated aircraft factory workers. Poster dated 1943. From the National Archives and Records Administration collection, photograph 44-P A-370.

"Above and Beyond the Call of Duty." Color poster of Doris (Dorie) MiIIer by David Stone Martin. Poster dated 1943. From the National Archives and Records Administration collection, photograph 208-PMP-68.

"Keep Us Flying. Buy War Bonds." Color poster of a Tuskegee Airman, Lt. Robert W. Diez by an unidentified artist. Photo dated 1943. From the National Archives and Records Administration collection, photograph 44-PA-121.

Jackie Wilson and Ray Robinson