Tuskegee Airmen To Be Honored At Last

All-Black Unit Will Receive Congressional Gold Medal Next Year

(CBS)  Lt. Col. Herbert Carter has a lot of memories about two of this country's hardest-fought battles — one against Adolf Hitler, the other against Jim Crow.

Carter made history in World War II as one of the first African-American fighter pilots, CBS News correspondent Richard Schlesinger reports. At age 22 he was an original member of the all-black Tuskegee Airmen, who had to fight for the right to fight for their country.

"We were told that we were lackadaisical. That was an insult, to say that you were too stupid to serve your country," Carter says.

At the time, black servicemen were seen more often in the kitchen than the cockpit.

"Our philosophy was that the antidote to racism and separatism was excellence in performance," Carter says.

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Tuskegee Pilot: 'We Were Good'

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They trained hard at the base in Tuskegee Ala., which has been made a national historic site and will soon be restored.

Today, no one doubts the skill or the patriotism or the heroism of those pilots. But back when Tuskegee was their training base, during the war, the only people who expected the Tuskegee Airmen to succeed were the airmen themselves.

"We were damn good!," Carter says.

He's not just bragging. There were about 1,000 black fighter pilots in the group. They flew more than 16,000 times during the war, won more than 900 medals — and the Germans never shot down a bomber they were protecting.

New York Rep. Charles Rangel led the fight to award the Tuskegee Airmen the highest honor Congress can bestow, the Congressional Gold Medal, as a tribute to their victories over there and their suffering over here.

"The sad part of the story is when they came home, they were just black men who served their country and were subjected to the same discrimination that existed before their heroic acts," says Rangel.

The Airmen have won a slew of other honors, but this medal can't come too soon for Carter.

"It simply says that the United States of America is saying, finally, a job well done," he says.

Carter is one of only about 130 known surviving Tuskegee pilots — old men now whose skills were recognized years ago, but who are only now getting the recognition they deserve.

[kailumego1]

I am honored to post a comment on the posthumous valor of Lt. Col. Herbert Carter, and the obstacles he and his comrades had had to endure from those who sought to thwart blacks from participating in the military.

This historical event, oddly enough, considering how many probably fought %u201Ctooth and nail%u201D, to prevent Mr. Carter from getting this prestigious Medal of Honor, prevailed, notwithstanding.

When you think of how blacks had had to prove themselves to bigot narrow-minded whites that they too had the strength and perseverance, through which many whites surreptitiously tried any maneuver to circumvent, you can see clearly where the real true courage lied.

To all those blacks whom fought courageously in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, that were conveniently and duplicitously passed over, who%u2019s heroic deeds forgotten, this country owes you A GRADITUDE OF RESPECT.

And to those leaders who paved the way for future generations through their blood, sweat, and tears, so that they may enjoy the fruits of this civilization, this country owes you A GRADITUDE OF RESPECT.

It's a shame that years or even decades has to past before America honors those who fought "blood for blood" to make this country great, to be given their rightful place in American history.

[vhairsto]

I too am honored to be able to offer my sincere and hearty congratulations to LT. Col. Herbert Carter and all 130 surviving Original Tuskegee Airmen for excellence of performance and a job well done!!

Also a hearty congratulations to each one of you on the plans to finally honor you ALL next year (2007) by awarding you the Congressional Gold Medal.

[gjpros]

The Tuskegee Airmen are men of excellence who hold a world record of never losing a bomber to enemy air fire. These gallant gentlemen, were denied a career to do what they were highly trained and skilled to do...fly planes. No airline would hire them as pilots. These great men, who are living legends of an era that changed the face of a segregated military, can share a part of history not found in most history books. They are living history. They served as escorts, protecting bombers in WWII, now 60+ years later, they should be escorted and protected. I praise Col. Carter and all of the Tuskegee Airmen pilots. If it werent for the pilots, the Tuskegee Experiment would still be in the shadows of American history. I am not only grateful to the pilots, but the ground crew, and other branches of the Army Air Corps who were trained at Tuskegee. The commradary, respect, loyalty-a fraternal brotherhood, that may never be witnessed again. The Tuskegee Airmen need a postage stamp. THEY ARE AMERICAN HEROES. Did you know the Tuskegee Airmen were apart of a quota system? Only 20% were allowed to graduate. Leaving some of the best guys a washout. Yet these men do not hold grudges. "That's the way it was most say. And they also confirm America is the greatest country in the world to live in. Congradulations on YOUR Congressional medal of honor!!!! Next.. the Nobel Peace Prize.

[rocky1940]

I recommend the next presentation & Interview of the Tuskegee Airmen with Lt.Col. Herbert Carter
should have a back drop of the final aircraft they were flying; The Lockheed P-51 Mustang Fighter. In place of the Antiquated BI-Plane Trainer that he was filmed with during his televised Interview today 11-13-06.
Thank You, Rocky Orr; [e-mail]

[trueprogress]

As a high school teacher here is something to consider: The very first Black American to be honored with the Congressional Medal of Honor, was way back to 1865 ! To Sergeat Major Chapin, who faught in the Civil War. The President and Congress at that time were thankful for the brave forces of freed Blacks backing the Union. It was when Lincoln announced his intention to give all freed Blacks the right to vote, that Booth decided to assasinate the President, rather than kidnap him !
Chapin was not forgotten ! Chapin's heroic memory was honored in a patriotic display at the Smithsonia in 1948 ! These brave flyers join a strong tradition of Blacks bravely defending the freedom and liberty of America.
I plan to have my class read this story tomorrow

[aznyron-2009]

These wonderful veterans of ww2 who was never honored until now for there sacrifice Now most of them are with God I never heard of them until they made a movie about them what does it take Hollywood to open the eyes of our elected leaders they should have been honored 50 years ago

[webdepot]

Thank you gentlemen, for your support, your service, your courage and most of all, your fortitude in bucking the system at the time and proving yourselves very capable and worthy of the respect you have earned.
After your first thousand missions, when your rep was being achieved, I'm sure those bomber crews were happy to see those red tails on their escorts.
Thank you.

[tinker3478]

Congratulations on receiving recognition long overdue. Not to detract from these men, but scores of WWII and Korean war veterans, of all races, have never received the recognition they deserved. Hopefully this event will make the younger generations more aware of the prize they hold in their hands each day: the blood-bought freedom to excel.

[xxxxxxxx9]

It is about time. I hope all those who have passed will be remembered by medals being given to their families. I have had the honor to shake the hand of a Tuskegee airman, and I thanked him for his service at that time. Glad Congress is saying thank you.

By the by, I think the Medal of Honor is just that, I do not think that "Congressional" precedes that particular decoration.

[clestes-2009]

Far too long in coming. These men should have been honored 50 years ago, along with the Navajos for their incredible service to this country.

I am ashamed that it has taken so long to reconize their contributions.

[boston1954]

Richard, That was a beautiful story! Those fellows have been waiting decades for this recognition of their service, and you gave us a heartening piece.
A wonderful job!!

[bseece]

It's about time. Congrats gentlemen on a job well done.

[boston1954]

I was just wondering.........for the ones who have passed to their greater reward.........will the medal go to their families?

[redtail44g]

My name is Calvin Spann and I am an Original Tuskegee Airman. My thanks to Katie Couric and Richard Schleisinger for national exposure. A special thanks to Lt. Col. Carter. As I speak for the rest of us a sincere thanks to Congressman Charles Rangel as the Tuskegee Airmen were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor. I do what I can to get the story out about the Tuskegee Airmen. I speak to all groups, churches, corporations, schools and especially my veteran brothers and sisters. I encourage education and the importance of math and sciences, especially to the young men. The opportunities are endless compared to my day. These kids cant imagine a football team, a basketball team or even a baseball team without an African American player. The Tuskegee Experiment was designed to fail, instead we succeeded. We were determined to be the best we could be....and we were. The formula for success, has not changed in 60 years. And I share that in my talks. Thank you for taking the time to comment on this segment.

My uncle Ivor, Vincent Ivor Mitchell, was a Tuskegee Airman. Would you please send me any information that I could pass to my mother, his sister.
Thank you.
Ree55

[mmcn3]

Hi,

The producer of this story recommends that if anyone interested in knowing more, please go to the Tuskegee Airmen's Web site, which has news updates, chapter locations, and phone numbers as well as information about their history.

http://www.tuskegeeairmen.org/

Thank you.