“Red Tails”

1943

The “Red Tails” nickname came after pilots painted their planes’ tails red.

The first class of African American airmen graduated from the Tuskegee training facility in March of 1942. Later, when pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group were assigned to protect heavy bombers, they painted their airplanes’ tails red to make them easily identifiable. This earned them the nickname “Red Tails.” By the end of World War II, nearly 1,000 men had completed pilot training at Tuskegee. Tuskegee Airmen flew over 15,000 sorties and were credited with downing more than 100 enemy aircraft. Their actions earned 96 Distinguished Flying Crosses.