Say the words "Tuskegee Airmen" to anyone in the military or veteran community, especially anyone with an aviation MOS, and you'll get a knowing nod of approval for their legendary status.
Now, a new book, "The Tuskegee Airmen Chronology: A Detailed Timeline of the Red Tails
and Other Black Pilots of World War II," has collected all their heroic actions into a concise, yet highly detailed, easy-to-read timeline.
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Charles McGee, one of the most famous Tuskegee Airmen, said the book "provides an accurate and complete record" of all the Airmen, including maintainers and other support personnel.
"The Tuskegee Airmen Chronology" contains a unique year-by-year overview of the fascinating story of the Tuskegee Airmen, embracing important events, such as the formation of the first military training program for Black pilots in U.S. history, the various training phases they underwent at airfields in Tuskegee, Alabama, and elsewhere around the U.S., and their deployment overseas, first to North Africa and then to Sicily and Italy. This book is the fifth on the subject by Airmen expert Daniel Haulman.
The Tuskegee Airmen are best known for flying P-47s and red-tailed P-51s to escort B-17 and B-24 bombers deep into enemy territory. Their exemplary performance proved conclusively that, given the opportunity and resources, Black men could fly and fight in
combat every bit as well as their White counterparts. The Airmen lost fewer bombers than other fighter groups and shot down 112 enemy aircraft.
"The Tuskegee Airmen Chronology" also includes abundant information on the many Tuskegee Airmen who were not fighter pilots, including B-25 bomber crews who trained in the U. S., and the thousands of Tuskegee Airmen who served as ground support. They fought two enemies, Nazis in Europe and racism at home, and through their dedication and efforts earned a hard-won double victory.
About the author
Daniel L. Haulman is chief of the organizational history division, at the United States Air Force Historical Research Agency. He has authored many books and scholarly articles about the Airmen, including as co-author of the bestselling work "The Tuskegee Airmen, An Illustrated History: 1939-1949," published by NewSouth Books. As a member of Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated for many years, he has attended seven of the organization's conventions and counts many Tuskegee Airmen as personal friends.
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