The Tuskegee Airmen The Archer – Ragsdale Arizona Chapter to receive the Dick Gregory Humanitarian Award

Aug 21, 2015 | award, events, seniors

4th Annual Senior Awards Friday, September 25, 2015 at the Arizona Biltmore, a Waldorf Astoria Resort

The Tuskegee Airmen 

In 1939, the winds of war howled fiercely across Europe and the Far East.  Even though the Emancipation Proclamation was just 75 years old, Black people in America knew that the threats that faced the free world could enslave our nation.  African American men and women bravely fought against bigotry and racial oppression throughout America.  However, that battle had to be put on hold as the nation was in peril of a greater formidable foe: Nazi Germany and their Axis Allies.  

Prior to 1939, biased propaganda and harsh segregation kept the doors of aviation closed to African Americans.  This was due, in large part, to an inaccurate and disparaging 1925 report of the U. S. War Department.  African Americans were falsely depicted as ineffective and poor performers during WW I.  The report further concluded that: (1) Blacks were inferior to their white counterparts in every discipline; (2) they lacked the intestinal fortitude for battle and were unreliable under fire; and (3) they were incapable of possessing the necessary skills to operate and master the complex military equipment employed in combat.  Clearly this egregious report chose to ignore that black men and women had performed admirably and courageously in every conflict and skirmish involving America since the Revolutionary War.  It took a concentrated effort by Black leaders, the Black media, and a few friends in U. S. Congress to overcome a myriad of hurdles before two Congressional laws were passed to allow Blacks to train in aviation.  These laws allowed programs at certain colleges and universities to be established to train African American students in aviation and related disciplines.  

Since Tuskegee Institute developed largest aviation program, it was given prime status in 1940. The first aviation cadet class began in July 1941 and completed training nine months later in March 1942.  Thirteen men started in the first class; five successfully completed the training.  One of these was Captain Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., a West Point Academy graduate. The other four were commissioned second lieutenants, and all five received Army Air Corps silver pilot wings.

From 1942 through 1946, approximately 996 pilots graduated and received their commission and pilot wings.  Black navigators, bombardiers and gunnery crews were trained at selected military bases elsewhere in the United States.  In all, more than 15,000 men and women participated in the “Tuskegee Airmen Experience”.  Four hundred and fifty of the pilots served overseas in either the 99th Pursuit Squadron (later the 99th Fighter Squadron) and the 332nd Fighter Group.  These aviators flew over 15,000 sorties, destroyed or damaged over 400 enemy aircraft, destroyed over 1,000 military targets, and sank an enemy destroyer.  Sixty-six Tuskegee Airmen lost their lives and thirty-two others spent time as prisoners of war.  Their awards included a Legion of Merit, Silver Star, 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 744 Air Medals, 14 Bronze Stars, and 8 Purple Hearts. This record is unequalled by any other unit in the history of American combat. 

The success of the Tuskegee Airmen proved to the American Public and the world, that when given an opportunity, African Americans could indeed become effective military leaders, pilots, and significant contributors to the nation’s defense.  Their story also reflects the struggle of African Americans in achieving equal rights that helped set the stage for nonviolent direct action in the 1950’s and 1960’s.  Thus the Tuskegee “Airmen Experience” provided a significant benchmark in the annals of American History. 

In August 1972, a group of Tuskegee Airmen gathered in Detroit, Michigan and voted to establish a National Tuskegee Airmen Organization. In 1978, the organization was incorporated and became Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated (TAI).  TAI is a nation-wide organization that honors the accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen and strives to perpetuates the history of  African Americans who participated in the “Tuskegee Experience” during WW II.  Today, approximately 55 active TAI Chapters throughout the United States are firmly committed to the following: 

• Introducing young people to aviation and science through local and national programs such as Young Eagles and TAI youth programs and activities.

• Providing educational assistance to students and awards to deserving individuals, groups and corporations whose deeds lend support to TAI’s goals.

• Supporting the Tuskegee Airmen Awards presented to deserving cadets in the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps Program.

In addition, the Tuskegee Airmen Scholarship Foundation (TASF) was established in 1979 to serve as a vehicle to provide annual scholarships to deserving young Americans for their academic pursuit of excellence.  The Tuskegee Airmen also support a mobile exhibit that travels throughout the United States to bring life to the Tuskegee Airmen story and to enlighten all Americans about these historic contributions to our nation.

The Archer-Ragsdale Arizona Chapter (ARAC) was officially incorporated in the state of Arizona January 18, 2006. The chapter was named in honor of two original Tuskegee Airmen (OTAs), Chief Master Sergeant Fred Archer and First Lieutenant Lincoln Ragsdale.  Archer was the first African American Chief Master Sergeant (CMSGT) in the USAF.  After a 33-year Air Force career, CMSGT Archer retired and lived in Tucson. He had a significant impact in civic and retiree programs until his death.  Lincoln Ragsdale was stationed at Luke AFB in 1945 and decided to remain in the Phoenix area after completing his military obligation.  He was a civil rights leader and prominent businessman in Phoenix and the State of Arizona.  In additional to his entrepreneurial pursuits, Lincoln was a cornerstone in the political and civil rights arena through his tireless efforts to help diversify the city government and schools.  Later, additional members of TAI and the Organization of Black Airlines Pilots (OBAP) settled in the Phoenix area and became involved in youth activities in the communities and churches.  ARAC immediately developed an ambitious outreach program for youth throughout Phoenix and the state of Arizona.  The chapter particularly targeted minority youth to include African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans.  

On March 29, 2007, President George W. Bush presented the Congressional Gold Medal to approximately 300 Tuskegee Airmen or their widows at the U.S. Capitol rotunda in Washington, D.C.  

On January 20, 2009, approximately 180 Tuskegee Airmen responded to the personal invitation of President Barack Obama to attend his inauguration.  Thus, President Obama, of African descent, acknowledged the crucial role the Tuskegee Airmen had in demolishing the barriers to progress for all minorities in America.   The Tuskegee Airmen have continued to serve their families, communities, and the nation with the same dedication, determination, and passion for over 72 years.