Gallery IV

Aviation cadets at Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama, are reviewed by the base commander Major James Ellison and his staff. In the background are Vultee BT-13 basic trainer aircraft, circa 1941. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection at Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Three aviation cadets report to their instructor pilot in front of a line of Vultee BT-13 basic trainer aircrafts. The instructor would take each cadet aloft for individual flying instruction. Each of the cadets was appropriately attired in the flight uniform of the day. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection at Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Aviation cadets at Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama, are reviewed by the base commander Maj. James Ellison. Each cadet is appropriately attired in a winter flight uniform, as a Vultee BT-13 basic trainer aircraft awaits its flight crew. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection at Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

A class of aviation cadets at Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama. Tuskegee Institute's Chief Pilot Charles Alfred Anderson is in the center of the front row. Most of the individuals in the photograph have signed next to their picture. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection at Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama

A group of aviation cadets are shown on the flight line at Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama. Note the distinctive Tuskegee Airmen hat brass. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection at Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabam

Kennedy Field, Tuskegee, Alabama, Spring 1941. Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt visited the Civilian Pilots Training Program. Mr. G.L. Washington, Program Director, introduces Mildred Hemmons, a student pilot, while Dr. Patterson, President of Tuskegee Institute, looks on. In the background are: Quinton Gaillard and Daniel "Chappie" James (in "T" letter sweater), all CPT students. Miss Hemmons received her private pilot's license in February 1941. Chappie James entered the US Army Air Corps in 1943 and became the first Four-Star Black Air Force General in 1975. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection at Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

A group of aviation cadets stand in front of a PT-17 primary trainer at Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama. The cadet in the center is holding one of the mascots of the cadet corps. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection at Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Several aviation cadets, maintenance personnel, and instructors stand by a PT-17 primary trainer at Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama. Tuskegee Institute's Chief Pilot, Charles Alfred Anderson, is the second person from the right and is briefing the cadet prior to a solo flight. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection at Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

An instructor pilot points out the route and training areas on an aeronautical chart, while he discusses the day's mission with three aviation cadets. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection at Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Nurses from the base hospital at Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama, receive familiarization training on one of the training aircraft. This training included an orientation ride in the BT-13 aircraft. From the Air Force Historical Research Agency, Maxwell AFN, Alabama, Collection.

Tuskegee Airmen pilots at Selfridge Field, Michigan, learn to carry out bombing missions as they would carry them out under actual combat conditions. The pilots are being briefed for a practice raid. National Archives and Records Administration photograph.

Aviation cadets at Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama, received navigation training among the many subjects designed to prepare them as Army pilots. Here the cadets plot dead reckoning tracks in one of their hands-on training exercises. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) colllection at Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Col. Noel F. Parrish, commanding officer of the Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama, stands with six new pilots who have just received their wings and commissions as second lieutenants, while a civilian from Tuskegee Institute looks on. From the Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection at Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

A class of aviation cadets shown in front of the PT-17 trainer aircraft at Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama, in April 1944. Many of the cadets are identified on the photograph. From the Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection at Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Col. Noel F. Parrish, commanding officer of Tuskegee Army Air Field, (fourth from the left on the front row) with his base staff and instructor pilot cadre' pose for an official photograph in 1943. From the Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection at Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Major General Walter R. Weaver delivers the inaugural address initiating the training of African-American cadets as military aviators for the United States Army Air Corps in front of the Booker T. Washington Monument at Tuskegee Institute, Alabama, in November 1941. From the Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection at Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

During a visit to Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt requested an orientation flight. Chief Pilot Charles Anderson flew the First Lady over the area in one of the field's training aircraft. From the HQ AETC/HO, Randolph AFB, Texas, photo collection, June 1942. A P.H. Polk original.

A unit of aviation cadets march toward the post flag pole in preparation for a retreat ceremony. Retreat, held at the end of each day, was one of the most inspiring ceremonies held at an Army post. Army Air Forces Training Command provided each aviation cadet with not only the technical and flying training necessary, but also with training in drill and ceremonies. From the HQ AETC/HO, Randolph AFB, Texas, photo collection, June 1942.

A group of aviation cadets, instructors, and enlisted men from the 99th Pursuit Squadron attend a Commanders' Call at Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama, in 1942. From the Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection at Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

Aviation cadets at Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama, study a radial aircraft engine during one of their ground school courses in June 1942. From the Air University/HO, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, photo collection.

Chief Anderson at Moton Field discusses maneuvers he wants flown during a solo flight, while his student pilots listens intently. From the Air University/HO, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, photo collection.

A student in the advanced phase of pilot training listens as his instructor pilot critiques his performance during a just-completed solo mission. From the Air University/HO, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, photo collection.

On March 7, 1942, the first class of Black pilots in the history of the United States Army Air Corps graduated at the Advanced Flying School, Tuskegee, Alabama, when wings and commissions as second lieutenants in the Air Corps were presented. The first graduates are shown here on a BT-13 basic training aircraft with one of their instructors. From left to right: Charles DeBow, Jr., a business administration graduate from Hampton Institute; Lemuel R. Custis, a policeman from Hartford, Connecticut, and a Howard University graduate; Mac Ross, an inspector at an iron works in Ohio; Captain Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., (seated in the aircraft), the first Black graduate from West Point and the man who would later command the 99th Pursuit Squadron overseas; George S. "Spanky" Roberts, a graduate of West Virginia State College; and their instructor pilot, Lieutenant R.M. Long. From the Air University/HO, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, photo collection.

On March 7, 1942, the first class of Black pilots in the history of the United States Army Air Corps graduated at the Advanced Flying School, Tuskegee, Alabama, when wings and commissions as second lieutenants in the Air Corps were presented. The first graduates are shown here walking on the Tuskegee flight line with one of their instructors. From left to right: George S. "Spanky" Roberts, a graduate of West Virginia State College; Captain Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., the first black graduate from West Point and the man who would later command the 99th Pursuit Squadron overseas; Charles DeBow, Jr., a business administration graduate of Hampton Institute; Lieutenant R.M. Long, instructor pilot; Mac Ross, an inspector at an ironworks in Ohio; and Lemuel R. Custis, a policeman from Hartford, Connecticut, and a Howard University graduate. From the Air University/HO, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, photo collection.

On March 7, 1942, the first class of Black pilots in the history of the United States Army Air Corps graduated at the Advanced Flying School, Tuskegee, Alabama, when wings and commissions as second lieutenants in the Air Corps were presented. The first graduates are shown in front of a Vultee BT-13 basic trainer aircraft on the Tuskegee flight line. From left to right: Lemuel R. Custis, a policeman from Hartford, Connecticut, and a Howard University graduate; Mac Ross, an inspector at an ironworks in Ohio; Captain Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., the first Black graduate from West Point and the man who would later command the 99th Pursuit Squadron overseas; George S. "Spanky" Roberts, a graduate of West Virginia State College; and Charles DeBow, Jr., a business administration graduate of Hampton Institute. From the Col. Roosevelt J. Lewis (USAF, Ret.) collection at Moton Field, Tuskegee, Alabama.

As part of the newly-built Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama, the Corps of Engineers used the typical barracks construction prevalent throughout the Army at that time. This row of barracks housed the aviation cadets as well as the enlisted men assigned to the field. From the Air Force Historical Research Agency, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, collection.

A Tuskegee Institute Aviation Instructor in the Civilian Pilot Training Program. Note the unique hat brass. From the Air Force Historical Research Agency, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, collection.

Five Tuskegee Airmen aviation cadets are shown with one of the training aircraft. The Basic and Advanced Flying Training School provided a comprehensive program leading to pilot wings and a commission as a second lieutenant in the Army Air Forces. From the Air Force Historical Research Agency, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, collection.

A group of aviation cadets are shown in front of a P-40 training aircraft at Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama. The P-40 aircraft was used in the advanced phase of pilot training. From the Air Force Historical Research Agency, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, collection.

Col. Noel F. Parrish, commanding officer of the Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama, is shown with one of the recently graduated Tuskegee Airmen. From the Air Force Historical Research Agency, Maxwell AFB, Alabama, collection.

Aviation Cadet's Review