From Tracie: The Tuskegee Airmen: They Dared To Fly

Monday, February 25, 2013

The Tuskegee Airmen: They Dared To Fly

A few weeks ago I attended a symposium at Fantasy of Flight. Four Tuskegee Airmen spoke and answered questions about being the first African American aviators in the military, escorting bombers during World War II, and dealing with racism.

Tuskegee Airmen at the Flight Of Fantasy Symposium
Panelists: Lt. Col. Leo Gray, Lt. Col. George Hardy, Pilot Daniel Keel, and Col. Charles McGee. Moderator: Barrington A. Irving, Jr.

Each one of these men worked hard to be a part of the Tuskegee Experience. Although they were successfully completing training and missions, there were commanding officers and cadre who strived to block them from advancing, and tried to get them discharged.

In Texas, Pilot Daniel Keel saw Tuskegee Airmen officers denied the right to eat in the officers' mess or enter the officers' club. When Lt. Col. Hardy was stationed at Freeman Field, he observed the German POWs housed on base given more freedom and better treatment than the black service members.

Lt. Col. Grey found that white service members who set up a base in Italy had warned the Italian townspeople about the black airmen who were coming, saying they had tails and would rape their women.

Leo Gray and George Hardy
Lt. Col. Leo Gray and Lt. Col. George Hardy

The Tuskegee Airmen persevered in spite of the injustices and resistance they received. They only lost 25 of the bombers they escorted, less than any other fighter group. When the military held its first Top Gun competition in 1949, it was won by a Tuskegee Airmen from the 332nd fighter group, then 1st Lt. James H. Harvey III. Although Harvey wouldn't be officially recognized for his victory until April 1995.

Not only did the four men who spoke at the symposium earn their pilots licence and place in the Tuskegee Airmen, they went on to have distinguished careers.
  • Col. Charles Mcgee flew in 409 combat missions over the course of three wars, more than any other service member. He eventually served as the Director of the Kansas City airport and as a member of the Aviation Advisory Commission
  • Pilot Daniel Keel is one of three people rated as a bombardier, pilot, and navigator.
  • Lt. Col. George Hardy flew in three wars. He also continued his education, getting two separate masters degrees in the engineering field.
  • Lt. Col. Leo Gray worked for the Department of Agriculture, while continuing in the reserves.

These men have seen a lot of change in their lifetimes, and helped to bring about some of those changes. Pilot Daniel Keel noted that the Tuskegee Airmen were really the first civil rights group working towards equal rights and the end of segregation. Without riots or violence, they persevered to become pilots and serve their country. The next phase of civil rights would come in the 60's; focusing on buses, restaurants, and eventually school integration.

It is so important that their stories and experiences are not lost. It was an amazing opportunity to hear these heroes speak, and I am happy that my daughter got the chance to learn about this time in history from the men who were actually there.

Daniel Keel and Charles McGee
Pilot Daniel Keel, and Col. Charles McGee

When asked what advice he would give to young people, Col. McGee shared *The Four P's:
  1. Perceive - Determine your talents, and find something you enjoy. 
  2. Prepare - Get an education that will allow you to do the work that you love.
  3. Perform - Seek excellence. Do your best even in the small jobs as you work your way toward your goal.
  4. Persevere - Don't let circumstances be an excuse for not achieving.
Even though his answer was aimed at young people, I think it is applicable for anyone who wants to develop and pursue a dream.

Interviewing Col. Charles McGee
Lee, Tracie, Jason, Col. Charles McGee, and Katarina

We were privileged to spend some time talking with Col. McGee after the symposium. Katarina asked him, "What was your favorite thing about being in aviation?"

McGee said, "It is hard to tell somebody the feeling you get - from my first flight - to be in the air and loop roll and spin, and then come back and put your feet on the ground. It is just a wonderful feeling. One of the things I found in flying that was really impressive was to be able to get in the aircraft as the sun was setting. To climb up to 40,000 feet in a jet, and see the sun set and the stars come out above. We human beings are just one small aspect in a grand universe. You get that feeling, but you have to be there to get it."

I loved his answer. It made me want to immediately sign up for flying lessons.

*I created a The Four P's graphic you may save, print, pin, or use.

21 comments:

  1. This is so awesomesauce! My husband is obsessed with planes and pilots and WWII - I have seen more specials about these guys than I can count. They are so amazing and inspiring. What a great experience!

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    1. It was a once in a lifetime kind of experience. I've seen a lot of specials about them too (my husband and I are into WWII history). They also talked about the planes they flew. Some of it was a little over my head, but it was still interesting to hear about the differences. Your husband would have loved it!

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  2. What an awesome experience to get to sit and hear their stories! Thank you for sharing!

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  3. That is an amazing experience, and I wish I could have been there!

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  4. Oh my gosh, I love this post! What an honor to be able to share this experience, through your words, with you -- thank you!!!

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    1. You are so very welcome. I was honored to get to attend, and share some of what I heard and learned.

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  5. Great post! I actually got to hear some of the Tuskegee Airmen speak when I was in the Air Force. They are so inspirational! Thanks for sharing this experience!

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    1. That is awesome. I love that you got to hear them, too. Very inspirational.

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  6. I love the 4 Ps - such awesome and perfect advice for all ages!

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    1. Right? I want to print them out nicely and hang them up on the wall where I can see them every day.

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  7. I love their advice! And you're right - it's good for anyone of any age with any goal. How inspirational!

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    1. Very inspirational! I'm glad you liked it.

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  8. I wish I could have heard them speak, they must have some wonderful stories.

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    1. Some of the stories were really rough, but important to hear. They were also inspiring, and interesting, and generally awesome.

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  9. So moving and inspiring. Thank you for sharing this!

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  10. Such an inspirational, amazing post. Thank you for sharing it.

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    1. You are so very welcome. I was very inspired, and couldn't help passing it on.

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  11. Very cool!! It's amazing how much has changed--I think often we look at the world as getting worse--which it is in some ways--but in others it's definitely improved and that's wonderful to see/realize :)

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