Tuskegee AirmenAfrican American pilots in the US Army before World War II, never existed and were never even thought of before World War II; only during was when they officially formed their first group, Tuskegee Airmen. They fought and successfully overcame two wars in their active period, the war abroad and their own war against racism in America. The Tuskegee Airmen contributed greatly to U.S. forces and efforts in leading the United States to victory in World War II. At first, the Tuskegee Airmen were not treated like an average white group; they were at a disadvantage due to persistent racism across the country, particularly in the military. They continually fought and persisted against all odds to be able to serve their nation in the Air Force. Before 1940, they were not allowed to fly in the U.S. Army, but the rivalry between Europe and Asia during this period gave African Americans the opportunity to finally join the Air Force. He promoted the federal government to increase air defenses and the civilian pilot training program in the United States that was open to African Americans. Initially, they were denied military leadership roles because their superiors, as well as most other men, believed they lacked the qualifications for combat service. It was then that civil rights organizations, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, and the Black Press stepped in and lobbied for equality resulting in the “formation of an all-African American pursuit squadron based in Tuskegee, Alabama,” the Tuskegee Airmen in 1941 (“Airmen Overview”). In Tuskegee County Macon, Alabama was the one and only training center for…half of paper…aircraft in their day. They similarly also sank a German destroyer and permanently put a German torpedo boat out of action due to damage. The Tuskegee Airmen arose during World War II in the United States' hour of need. Overcoming countless odds, their tenacity to help light the United States' path to victory proved to be an unforgettable, memorable moment in history. “The Tuskegee Airmen overcame segregation and prejudice to become one of the most respected fighting groups of World War II” (“Overview of the Airmen”). Works Cited “Airmen Overview.” Visionary American Tuskegee Airmen. Park Net National Park Service, April 10, 2000. Web. April 4, 2014Haulman, Daniel L. “Tuskegee Airmen.” Encyclopedia of Alabama. Alabama Humanities Foundation, October 5, 2011. Web. April 7, 2014. “Tuskegee Airmen.” historynet.com. Weider History Group, nd Web. 9 April 2014.