Pennsylvania Statutes Title 38 Pa.C.S.A. Holidays and Observances § 1305. Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day

(1) During World War I, African Americans were prohibited from serving as military pilots in the United States Armed Forces due to their race.

(2) In response to advocacy by civil rights leaders and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Congress of the United States approved funding designated for the training of African-American military pilots in 1939.

(3) On March 22, 1941, the United States Army Air Corps 99th Pursuit Squadron was activated to become the first African-American fighter squadron.

(4) The members of the 99th Pursuit Squadron were the first to be known as Tuskegee Airmen because they had received their initial flight training at Moton Field, a segregated air base in Tuskegee, Alabama.

(5) Other Tuskegee Airmen would later form the famous 332nd Fighter Group, also known as the “Red Tails” due to the distinctive red marking on the tail of their aircraft.

(6) Between 1941 and 1946, nearly 1,000 African-American military pilots were trained in Tuskegee, Alabama.

(7) During World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen flew more than 15,000 sorties and lost only 66 men in the line of duty, one of the lowest loss records of any escort fighter group.

(8) The courage, dedication and service of the men and women of the Tuskegee Airmen continues to inspire both military personnel and civilians of all backgrounds throughout this country.