Red Tails, Black Wings: The Men of America's Black Air Force

This book uses an oral history format to tell the story of the first African-American military pilots in the segregated US Military during World War II. The author, John B. Holway, very effectively, sorted and edited the words of these courageous men to tell their story through their own voices. Their personalities come through as they related their thoughts, emotions, experiences, idiosyncrasies, and dramatic and minute details of their lives. These men fought valiantly and distinguished themselves fighting two wars - one for the world as American patriots and one for social justice against racial segregation and bigotry. Their story is an important one as a shining example of human beings making progress to advance themselves and teach us all to continue to become better individuals and better as a nation.

In "Red Tails Black Wings," John B Holway details the development and service of the first group of black aviators who eventually made up the 332nd fighter group. This distinguished group of flyers fought with the 15th Air Force in North Africa and Italy during World War II. During their service they destroyed 409 aircraft and earned a Presidential Unit Citation. The 332nd took most pride in the fact that they never lost a bomber they escorted to enemy fighters. What makes the history of the 332nd so interesting is that throughout their development and deployment they were opposed by those who felt that blacks were incapable of the high skill level, courage and discipline required to be fighter pilots. Red Tails Black Wings is an excellent book about two battles, the battle against racism and the battle against Fascism. This book is a history of the first black aviators in the U.S. Army Air Corps. There have been several books written on the Tuskegee airmen prior to this one, as well as autobiographies of the aviators that cover this era. John Holway draws on these secondary sources and personal interviews to bring a unique perspective to these pioneers of black aviation. His extensive use of oral history really brings to life all aspects of this exciting time. The secondary sources provide the background and facts of this time, while the personal stories of the men who lived it bring it to life. These personal stories told by the men who were involved, shed light on all aspects of the development, training and combat of the Tuskegee Airmen. In addition they give the reader insight into segregation, prejudice and other difficulties the flyers had to be overcome. These oral histories provide a colorful first person account into the every day lives of these fine pilots. A reader may know that segregation was in place at this time, but it becomes real when a personal experience of racism is told by one who encountered it. The book contains gripping combat narrative and is loaded with drama. Dogfights, emergencies, and accidents all come alive when told by those who were there. It also contains personal stories, humor and portraits of the pilots. The book ultimately transcends all issues of race and shows hard work, bravery, fairness and patriotism that speaks to everyone regardless of race or color. Besides its hard to go wrong when writing about P-51s and their pilots.

This book really got to me. Full of first person quotes, you can really hear the pilots talking to you. I enjoyed their humor, felt pain when they lost fellow pilots and anger on how they were treated by fellow Americans. Yet it is full of hope, with 'white' officers who treated them with fairness and Europeans who also treated them as heros. They helped us take one more step towards what the ideal America should be and one day may be.

I found this book an experience to read. As an aviation enthusiast living in the Uk I found what the airmen had to put up with disgusting. Their record speaks for itself especially no bombers lost. In war everyone starts on a level playing field but sadly in these cases its different. The author lets the achievements speak for themselves and they do, sadly the individual awards are lacking. An excellent read on a topic that should enspire rather than shame. The Black Airmen rise above the predjudice and print their own chapter in aviation history.