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  • Celebrities in Uniform

    When the U.S. began re-arming for World War II, the vast majority of Americans believed it was not only a duty to serve their country, it was an honor. Among the millions who willingly went into military service were many celebrities from stage, screen, sports, radio and music. This display is

  • K-24 Camera

    Note:  This item has temporarily been removed from display.The K-24 camera, developed in 1942, is a modification of the British F-24 camera. The K-24 camera is 10 pounds lighter than its British counterpart. More than 9,000 K-24 cameras were made for use in tactical reconnaissance aircraft in World

  • Sperry S-1 Bombsight

    The Sperry S-1 precision bombsight was developed in the 1930s. It was designated as "standard" equipment in March 1941 and was used in some U.S. Army Air Forces bombers early in World War II; however, all contracts for production of the Sperry sight were ordered canceled in late 1943. Use of the

  • Tuskegee Airmen Congressional Gold Medal

    In April 2006, the U.S. Congress voted to award the Tuskegee Airmen a Congressional Gold Medal, the most prestigious award Congress can give to civilians. The award was presented to the surviving Tuskegee Airmen on March 29, 2007, at a ceremony in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol "in recognition of

  • Two-War Flight Suit

    Tuskegee Airman Lt. Haldane King, a B-25 pilot, wore this A-4 flight suit during World War II. His son, Capt. Haldane King Jr., a KC-135 pilot, wore it during the Southeast Asia War.Click here to return to the Tuskegee Airmen Overview.  Find Out More

  • Edward C. Gleed Flying Jacket

    This World War II flying jacket belonged to Tuskegee Airman Col. (Ret.) Edward C. Gleed. Enlisting in the 9th Calvary in 1941, Gleed was assigned to military intelligence. In 1942 he entered aviation cadet training at Tuskegee, Ala., and graduated in December as a second lieutenant. During WWII,

  • Legacy of Equality

    The Tuskegee Airmen proved themselves equal to white fliers and support troops, but black Airmen remained segregated after the war. However, they had made it obvious to many leaders, President Harry S. Truman in particular, that segregation in the military was morally wrong, inefficient and should

  • Escort Excellence

    While the 99th Fighter Squadron continued to fight its way through Sicily and Italy alongside white units, Benjamin Davis returned to the United States to take command of the new 332nd Fighter Group. Another segregated unit, the 332nd included three fighter squadrons -- the 100th, 301st and 302nd --

  • Davis Leads the 99th Into Combat

    Segregation required the 99th Fighter Squadron to have a black leader. After three white officers commanded the squadron, 1st Lt. George S. Roberts became the first black to command the squadron in June 1942. In August 1942, Capt. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. was chosen to lead the outfit overseas. One of

  • Charles Alfred “Chief” Anderson

    A world-famous flier before World War II, Chief Anderson became the first African American to earn a commercial pilot license. In 1940 the Tuskegee Institute hired him as its chief flight instructor to develop its pilot training program. The U.S. Army Air Corps awarded Tuskegee the contract to