Thanks for this. I wish I and we all knew more about these stories and men like General McGee. His advice about treating others the way you would like to be treated is how many of us were raised. Not so much any more. Black history month needs more emphasis on what guys like General McGee and Thomas Sowell seek to teach and their core values that are universal .
My father was a POW at Mooseburg in Germany with a Tuskegee Airman named Goldberg. They called him Goldie. Goldie was both black and Jewish.
Goldie would entertain them. One of my father's stories was how Goldie would say, "Here I am, a black Jew! In Nazi Germany! (Or Nazi f---ing Germany) And! For the first time in my life! I am in a fully integrated fa-cil-it-y!" The guys would laugh at that.
Goldie would entertain the guards too. He spoke German. And my father picked up enough to know he told the same jokes. The German guards thought that joke was hilarious.
The guards were on short rations too. And my father said that the commandant was a decent guy. He disciplined them for stealing prisoner's food including red cross food, which was critical for their survival.
The guards prized their assignments. It was their ticket to stay off the front in a war they all knew was losing. But they were proper soldiers and would go if ordered.
My father thought Goldie survived when the camp surrendered without a fight. He didn't see him among the many men who died from eating donuts and drinking coffee after years of starvation.
I went to a Tuskegee Airmen descendants meeting. They do scholarships and outreach to kids. Nobody there had heard of him. But these were Californians.
Thanks for sharing this. I wish we knew more about American (and British) WW2 POWs and POW camps. I imagine you have seen The Great Escape, one of my all time favorite movies. I am now watching Masters of the Air and whole not as good as Band of Brothers, has been riveting as the flying scenes make clear what the airmen went through and the staggering casualty rates. Was your father in the air Corp by chance?
Yes. My father was a 19 year old squadron commander with 33 missions when he was shot down over Groz. The flak shell hit the co-pilot's side and killed him. My father didn't remember it, but everyone bailed out, and they told him he leveled the plane so they could get out first. He bailed out the hole the shell made, with large shrapnel wounds in his legs. He carried that shrapnel his whole life. He landed in a field tended by POWs which was lucky, because the soldiers guarding them protected them. German civilians were killing fliers then.
The camp was all airmen. I think he said that they were under the custody of the German Air Force, and the Commandant was Air Force.
Nobody was trying to escape. At that point in the war inside the camp was safer than going outside where the civilians were. Things were pretty calm. Once in a while some idiot would throw a rock at a guard. But the punishment wasn't worth it. A starving man forced to do hard labor for even a couple hours is in serious trouble.
My father said that Catch-22 was the best depiction of what it was really like in Foggia where he was stationed. He even said, "Oh yeah." when I asked about the Milo Minderbinder character. They were "liberating" supplies and doing things that were non-standard if they thought it would give them an edge of any kind.
My father came home with 4 teeth. He fell in the shower in the Groz POW hospital. And at that hospital they would really take apart the x-ray machine to make a radio to get news, then put it back together by morning. He had lots of stories. He spent 3 months after the hospital traveling across Germany with Fritz and Hans, who he described as, "Just a couple of GIs, like us. They hated the SS with a passion unmatched by anyone." He said they saved his life, twice. Part of that was self-interest, because he was their ticket off the front. He figured out that they were deliberately finding out what camps were full and going there so they could be turned away.
It’s a shame we don’t make better use of Black history month to speak about the incredible contributions of Black Americans. From the Revolutionary War, Civil War and every war since, to inventions, science, economics, sports, politics and every aspect of our American history, Black American contributions have shaped this country’s trajectory. Let’s talk about these heroes and what every child can become and not the life draining talk of victim hood.
Would like to highlight another great American, and also a graduate of Tuskegee Institute, but in his Stateside trainer role, did not see combat in WW2.
But Daniel ‘Chappie’ James Jr. did take the baton and saw combat in both Korea and then most famously in Vietnam. My dad served as mechanic alongside pilot Chappie in Vietnam/Thailand and I heard many stories growing up of his exploits. Chappie was the ‘Blackman’ to white ‘Robin’ Olds. They rocked F-4C Phantoms & F-105 Thunderchiefs and brought aggressiveness to the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing that at time was sorely needed. Together they were referred to as “Blackman & Robin” — Vietnam vets (especially Air Force) know well of these leaders.
What many don’t know about Chappie is his participation in early desegregation event (1945) where black airmen of the 477th Bombardment Group tried to integrate an all-white officers club at airfield in Indiana:
Chappie died way too young at age 58 in 1978. But encourage Free Pressers to read about this outstanding American. He was the 1st African American to reach 4-star General, in 1975. He loved our country, its people and made many speeches on virtues of Americanism and Patriotism. I think of him every Black History Month.
I had the great honor to serve on the Air Staff under Tuskegee graduate and commander of the legendary WWII Red Tails, the 99th Fighter Squadron, General B. O. Davis, Jr., the first African American officer to be promoted to Brigadier General and later to full General. He was a model of quiet authority and a great leader. I was also privileged to meet and fly with then Colonel Daniel James, Jr., later to hold the rank of General as Commander of NORAD, another inspirational leader. Both of those men achieved success while overcoming many obstacles and paving the way for the current generations of outstanding Black leaders.including the current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General C.Q. Brown, Jr..
James, just saw you post here honoring Chappie. I didn’t see yours before I posted mine ;) General James and Davis are beautiful examples of pushing through adversity to achieve great heights. They inspired so many. I grew up on Air Force base in 1970’s and heard my parents and other adults praise these groundbreaking men.
Chappie was a bigger-than-life personality. At over 6'3", he filled an F-4 cockpit and took up a lot of space at the O'Club bar. He was a fighter pilot through and through.
Glad to hear the present Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is an outstanding black leader. His immediate predecessor, Mark Milley, was a woke white dunce.
You must mean the shameful general who didn't have any plans for the retreat from Afghanistan. Who left billions of dollars worth of materiel behind, allowed 13 Americans to be killed, and left behind brave Afgans who helped us to fen for themselves. You couldn't be more correct. He should have been fired along with his boss for that performance.
"The Tuskegee “training program was criticized because so many of the cadets ‘washed out’ or failed to complete flight training and get their wings.” But placing a premium on excellence meant that “those who did graduate were grateful that the standards were high, and that they had fulfilled them.”"
It struck me that this is the exact opposite of what Leftists are doing now. Rather than maintaining high standards of excellence, the Left is seeking to lower standards for black people. It's a deeply racist approach, because it assumes that black people cannot succeed without less being asked of them.
The Tuskegee Airmen were the most stellar flying unit in WWII. The training standards they were expected to meet almost certainly played a major role in that success.
I read that the washout rate was artificial- some in the Army didn't believe in the program and thought that keeping it small would minimize the damage / make it easier to kill. Thus unbeknownst to the trainees there was a limit on the number allowed to be winged, regardless of how many were practically qualified. This arguably backfired because the guys who made it were supermen; in addition to being natural sky gods, many had or would later earn advanced technical degrees. Their excellence changed a lot of minds, both among US bomber crews who would request them, and German pilots who would flee from them on sight.
The Nisei Regiment is a similar story. Many had family in the internment camps, and they were sent to Europe because they weren't trusted to fight Japan. With plenty of reasons to say "the hell with it," they showed everyone who doubted their loyalty who the real Americans were, and became the most decorated unit in Army history.
The Tuskegee Airmen fought to be allowed to fight for an America that would one day look beyond color. I believe that most of them would be appalled by the racist garbage that BLM and its allies preach.
Agreed. I would go as far as saying that most blacks today over the age of 45 are equally appalled as to how that movement has consumed so much of the younger generation.
What a beautiful story. Posthumous salute from an old Army Specialist to a great General. And though it is cliche to say nowadays, thankful for his service.
It might seem cliche, but veterans appreciate it, especially those who served in combat. I've heard them say it to each other on occasion. I served during relative peacetime and never saw combat and I appreciate it, even if I feel a little embarrassed since it feels a little bit like "stolen valor" from those who fought and still carry the scars.
I am not sure if many people know this but the Tuskegee airmen were supported in the UK (at least in Hull) with their own Red Cross club which included black American women who staffed it. I came across a reference to the club when I was researching the women Red Cross volunteers.
According to Jerry White The Battle of London 1939 -1945, at times the viciousness of the white American GIs to their black comrades shocked Londoners. Most racial incidents were white on black. Eventually, there was black clubs on London the Bouillabase International, Frisco's, The Nest, Smoky Joe's, the Shim-Sham and Tig's all served the growing population of black servicemen. Also the USAAF established a 'Negro chorus' which performed to sell out concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in September 1943 because there was such an appreciation black American musical culture. White does not mention if any Tuskegee airmen performed in the chorus.
Thanks! Know little about the Tuskegee Airmen & knew nothing about General McGee. Now I’m intrigued & will learn more. Shameful they weren’t treated with respect & dignity by all. We humans too often fear “difference” clinging to our tiny social pack for safety thereby missing life’s relational richness.
Chuck McGee was a friend, and this article captures him well. He was a great American.
Chuck’s daughter taught my wife and me and our children how to scuba dive, and when we went on a Cayman diving trip together he came along, on mission. He had promised his daughter that if she learned to fly—which she had—he would learn to dive—which he did, sort of. He was a convivial man but gentle and modest. At one Air Force ceremony, he listened as they ticked off the astounding wartime record of a pilot they were honoring with some award, then realized to his surprised that he was the awardee. Many years ago, the Tuskegee Airmen established an aviation scholarship program, and went out of their way to specify that it was for students of all races. Chuck was proud of that, but also happy that, inevitably, it ended up primarily helping and inspiring young African-Americans.
Chuck celebrated his birthdays with a plane flight—all the way to his 100th.
My son Andy I stopped at the small Tuskegee museum in Alabama and walked the grounds. The instructors set an unbelievably high bar far every specialty knowing they were representing a their race as well as the USA. It was very impressive the pride they had. Occasionally, a bomber crew would be forced to land at their base in Italy, And these Tuskegee guys would roll out the red carpet to make the white guys feel “like kings”. I’d highly recommend a visit to any of you. Go read the displays and spent some time talking to the guys working there.
I, too, have visited this museum and was super impressed to learn of the accomplishments of these brave, brave airmen. I've often wondered why we don't hear more about these Tuskegee heroes. When I visited the museum, I confess that I was the only visitor there that day. Hopefully, the number of visitors to this museum has picked up since I visited (back in the summer of 2018). Thank you, Free Press, for publishing Solomson's essay. Well done and greatly appreciated!
Playing the devil's advocate let's say the country is on board with this DEI nonsense. Let's give everyone whose ancestors were persecuted a handout. Then what? Is it expected these people will prosper magically on their own merit from then on? Or will they expect handouts in perpetuity? Since when have crutches helped in the long run? It's time we started using some common sense and thinking two steps ahead in our country.
Everyone has ancestors who were mistreated by someone sometime. The idea that any of us should profit from wrongs done to our predecessors is ridiculous. There are plenty of present wrongs to right without looking for those done to the dead.
A great read. Sadly the traitor Lyndon Johnson and his leftist destroyed the black family. Its a shame that currently 99% of that community give the other members a bad name.
The 12 scout laws: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. He’s right. The country would be a lot better if everyone followed those. God speed General.
The history and accomplishments of the Tuskegee airmen and great men like General McGee should become required reading for every American. They were true heroes in every sense of the word. But everyone should also understand that the politics of discrimination reached far beyond just than the treatment of blacks during the WW2 era.
My 100% Italian-American dad, the son of immigrant parents, enlisted in the Army Air Corps and reported for duty on his 18th birthday in 1943. He qualified for and excelled during basic pilot training. But upon entering advanced pilot training (in Georgia) the southern-based training officers made it very clear at the outset that none of the "greasy Wops from New York" were ever going to become pilots under their watch.
True to the trainers' word, none did -- every pilot trainee with an Italian surname or of Italian heritage was treated exceptionally harshly during training, and wound up with a final rating just below the threshold needed to become an active pilot. Considered washouts, many of these men were sent to the infantry to fight on the front lines. My dad was "fortunate" to only be 5'5", and was given the opportunity to enter training to become a navigator (since they had to be short in order to fit in a navigator's compartment on a B-17).
Thanks for this. I wish I and we all knew more about these stories and men like General McGee. His advice about treating others the way you would like to be treated is how many of us were raised. Not so much any more. Black history month needs more emphasis on what guys like General McGee and Thomas Sowell seek to teach and their core values that are universal .
My father was a POW at Mooseburg in Germany with a Tuskegee Airman named Goldberg. They called him Goldie. Goldie was both black and Jewish.
Goldie would entertain them. One of my father's stories was how Goldie would say, "Here I am, a black Jew! In Nazi Germany! (Or Nazi f---ing Germany) And! For the first time in my life! I am in a fully integrated fa-cil-it-y!" The guys would laugh at that.
Goldie would entertain the guards too. He spoke German. And my father picked up enough to know he told the same jokes. The German guards thought that joke was hilarious.
The guards were on short rations too. And my father said that the commandant was a decent guy. He disciplined them for stealing prisoner's food including red cross food, which was critical for their survival.
The guards prized their assignments. It was their ticket to stay off the front in a war they all knew was losing. But they were proper soldiers and would go if ordered.
My father thought Goldie survived when the camp surrendered without a fight. He didn't see him among the many men who died from eating donuts and drinking coffee after years of starvation.
I went to a Tuskegee Airmen descendants meeting. They do scholarships and outreach to kids. Nobody there had heard of him. But these were Californians.
Spartacus, thanks for sharing this story. Beautiful stuff. Black history is American history.
It's all of our history.
Thanks for sharing this. I wish we knew more about American (and British) WW2 POWs and POW camps. I imagine you have seen The Great Escape, one of my all time favorite movies. I am now watching Masters of the Air and whole not as good as Band of Brothers, has been riveting as the flying scenes make clear what the airmen went through and the staggering casualty rates. Was your father in the air Corp by chance?
Yes. My father was a 19 year old squadron commander with 33 missions when he was shot down over Groz. The flak shell hit the co-pilot's side and killed him. My father didn't remember it, but everyone bailed out, and they told him he leveled the plane so they could get out first. He bailed out the hole the shell made, with large shrapnel wounds in his legs. He carried that shrapnel his whole life. He landed in a field tended by POWs which was lucky, because the soldiers guarding them protected them. German civilians were killing fliers then.
The camp was all airmen. I think he said that they were under the custody of the German Air Force, and the Commandant was Air Force.
Nobody was trying to escape. At that point in the war inside the camp was safer than going outside where the civilians were. Things were pretty calm. Once in a while some idiot would throw a rock at a guard. But the punishment wasn't worth it. A starving man forced to do hard labor for even a couple hours is in serious trouble.
My father said that Catch-22 was the best depiction of what it was really like in Foggia where he was stationed. He even said, "Oh yeah." when I asked about the Milo Minderbinder character. They were "liberating" supplies and doing things that were non-standard if they thought it would give them an edge of any kind.
My father came home with 4 teeth. He fell in the shower in the Groz POW hospital. And at that hospital they would really take apart the x-ray machine to make a radio to get news, then put it back together by morning. He had lots of stories. He spent 3 months after the hospital traveling across Germany with Fritz and Hans, who he described as, "Just a couple of GIs, like us. They hated the SS with a passion unmatched by anyone." He said they saved his life, twice. Part of that was self-interest, because he was their ticket off the front. He figured out that they were deliberately finding out what camps were full and going there so they could be turned away.
Thomas Sowell is one of the smartest men I’ve ever read.
Another great piece of real, relevant and uplifting history - thank you!
It’s a shame we don’t make better use of Black history month to speak about the incredible contributions of Black Americans. From the Revolutionary War, Civil War and every war since, to inventions, science, economics, sports, politics and every aspect of our American history, Black American contributions have shaped this country’s trajectory. Let’s talk about these heroes and what every child can become and not the life draining talk of victim hood.
Would like to highlight another great American, and also a graduate of Tuskegee Institute, but in his Stateside trainer role, did not see combat in WW2.
But Daniel ‘Chappie’ James Jr. did take the baton and saw combat in both Korea and then most famously in Vietnam. My dad served as mechanic alongside pilot Chappie in Vietnam/Thailand and I heard many stories growing up of his exploits. Chappie was the ‘Blackman’ to white ‘Robin’ Olds. They rocked F-4C Phantoms & F-105 Thunderchiefs and brought aggressiveness to the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing that at time was sorely needed. Together they were referred to as “Blackman & Robin” — Vietnam vets (especially Air Force) know well of these leaders.
What many don’t know about Chappie is his participation in early desegregation event (1945) where black airmen of the 477th Bombardment Group tried to integrate an all-white officers club at airfield in Indiana:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freeman_Field_mutiny
Chappie died way too young at age 58 in 1978. But encourage Free Pressers to read about this outstanding American. He was the 1st African American to reach 4-star General, in 1975. He loved our country, its people and made many speeches on virtues of Americanism and Patriotism. I think of him every Black History Month.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_James_Jr.
I had the great honor to serve on the Air Staff under Tuskegee graduate and commander of the legendary WWII Red Tails, the 99th Fighter Squadron, General B. O. Davis, Jr., the first African American officer to be promoted to Brigadier General and later to full General. He was a model of quiet authority and a great leader. I was also privileged to meet and fly with then Colonel Daniel James, Jr., later to hold the rank of General as Commander of NORAD, another inspirational leader. Both of those men achieved success while overcoming many obstacles and paving the way for the current generations of outstanding Black leaders.including the current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General C.Q. Brown, Jr..
Thank you for YOUR service! How wonderful that you were able to serve with these great men!
I am eternally grateful to have served with them.
James, just saw you post here honoring Chappie. I didn’t see yours before I posted mine ;) General James and Davis are beautiful examples of pushing through adversity to achieve great heights. They inspired so many. I grew up on Air Force base in 1970’s and heard my parents and other adults praise these groundbreaking men.
Chappie was a bigger-than-life personality. At over 6'3", he filled an F-4 cockpit and took up a lot of space at the O'Club bar. He was a fighter pilot through and through.
I heard that someone asked him how he managed to get into the F-4, and he replied that he didn't get into it, he put it on.
Hahaha! I would have said a shoehorn.
Glad to hear the present Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is an outstanding black leader. His immediate predecessor, Mark Milley, was a woke white dunce.
You must mean the shameful general who didn't have any plans for the retreat from Afghanistan. Who left billions of dollars worth of materiel behind, allowed 13 Americans to be killed, and left behind brave Afgans who helped us to fen for themselves. You couldn't be more correct. He should have been fired along with his boss for that performance.
Only to Trump Maggots.
TDS is a treatable condition. Please seek it out immensely or you too shall perish.
Threatening my life for disparaging Trump? Sorry, but I don't fear any weenies who support The Orange Hair Clown. You can kiss my grits, Weenie.
You really shouldn’t be here since you have difficulty comprehending and a tendency to aggressive obnoxiousness.
Oh my super sensitive are we. Can’t take a joke can you a symptom of TDS. Please seek treatment soon. N
You're still a weak weenie and always will be, and you have a highly developed skill of backpedaling your puny threats.
"The Tuskegee “training program was criticized because so many of the cadets ‘washed out’ or failed to complete flight training and get their wings.” But placing a premium on excellence meant that “those who did graduate were grateful that the standards were high, and that they had fulfilled them.”"
It struck me that this is the exact opposite of what Leftists are doing now. Rather than maintaining high standards of excellence, the Left is seeking to lower standards for black people. It's a deeply racist approach, because it assumes that black people cannot succeed without less being asked of them.
The Tuskegee Airmen were the most stellar flying unit in WWII. The training standards they were expected to meet almost certainly played a major role in that success.
I read that the washout rate was artificial- some in the Army didn't believe in the program and thought that keeping it small would minimize the damage / make it easier to kill. Thus unbeknownst to the trainees there was a limit on the number allowed to be winged, regardless of how many were practically qualified. This arguably backfired because the guys who made it were supermen; in addition to being natural sky gods, many had or would later earn advanced technical degrees. Their excellence changed a lot of minds, both among US bomber crews who would request them, and German pilots who would flee from them on sight.
The Nisei Regiment is a similar story. Many had family in the internment camps, and they were sent to Europe because they weren't trusted to fight Japan. With plenty of reasons to say "the hell with it," they showed everyone who doubted their loyalty who the real Americans were, and became the most decorated unit in Army history.
The Tuskegee Airmen fought to be allowed to fight for an America that would one day look beyond color. I believe that most of them would be appalled by the racist garbage that BLM and its allies preach.
Agreed. I would go as far as saying that most blacks today over the age of 45 are equally appalled as to how that movement has consumed so much of the younger generation.
What a beautiful story. Posthumous salute from an old Army Specialist to a great General. And though it is cliche to say nowadays, thankful for his service.
It might seem cliche, but veterans appreciate it, especially those who served in combat. I've heard them say it to each other on occasion. I served during relative peacetime and never saw combat and I appreciate it, even if I feel a little embarrassed since it feels a little bit like "stolen valor" from those who fought and still carry the scars.
I am not sure if many people know this but the Tuskegee airmen were supported in the UK (at least in Hull) with their own Red Cross club which included black American women who staffed it. I came across a reference to the club when I was researching the women Red Cross volunteers.
According to Jerry White The Battle of London 1939 -1945, at times the viciousness of the white American GIs to their black comrades shocked Londoners. Most racial incidents were white on black. Eventually, there was black clubs on London the Bouillabase International, Frisco's, The Nest, Smoky Joe's, the Shim-Sham and Tig's all served the growing population of black servicemen. Also the USAAF established a 'Negro chorus' which performed to sell out concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in September 1943 because there was such an appreciation black American musical culture. White does not mention if any Tuskegee airmen performed in the chorus.
Thanks! Know little about the Tuskegee Airmen & knew nothing about General McGee. Now I’m intrigued & will learn more. Shameful they weren’t treated with respect & dignity by all. We humans too often fear “difference” clinging to our tiny social pack for safety thereby missing life’s relational richness.
Chuck McGee was a friend, and this article captures him well. He was a great American.
Chuck’s daughter taught my wife and me and our children how to scuba dive, and when we went on a Cayman diving trip together he came along, on mission. He had promised his daughter that if she learned to fly—which she had—he would learn to dive—which he did, sort of. He was a convivial man but gentle and modest. At one Air Force ceremony, he listened as they ticked off the astounding wartime record of a pilot they were honoring with some award, then realized to his surprised that he was the awardee. Many years ago, the Tuskegee Airmen established an aviation scholarship program, and went out of their way to specify that it was for students of all races. Chuck was proud of that, but also happy that, inevitably, it ended up primarily helping and inspiring young African-Americans.
Chuck celebrated his birthdays with a plane flight—all the way to his 100th.
My son Andy I stopped at the small Tuskegee museum in Alabama and walked the grounds. The instructors set an unbelievably high bar far every specialty knowing they were representing a their race as well as the USA. It was very impressive the pride they had. Occasionally, a bomber crew would be forced to land at their base in Italy, And these Tuskegee guys would roll out the red carpet to make the white guys feel “like kings”. I’d highly recommend a visit to any of you. Go read the displays and spent some time talking to the guys working there.
I, too, have visited this museum and was super impressed to learn of the accomplishments of these brave, brave airmen. I've often wondered why we don't hear more about these Tuskegee heroes. When I visited the museum, I confess that I was the only visitor there that day. Hopefully, the number of visitors to this museum has picked up since I visited (back in the summer of 2018). Thank you, Free Press, for publishing Solomson's essay. Well done and greatly appreciated!
Playing the devil's advocate let's say the country is on board with this DEI nonsense. Let's give everyone whose ancestors were persecuted a handout. Then what? Is it expected these people will prosper magically on their own merit from then on? Or will they expect handouts in perpetuity? Since when have crutches helped in the long run? It's time we started using some common sense and thinking two steps ahead in our country.
Everyone has ancestors who were mistreated by someone sometime. The idea that any of us should profit from wrongs done to our predecessors is ridiculous. There are plenty of present wrongs to right without looking for those done to the dead.
Meritocracy knows no skin color or sex.
Bernoulli and Newton sure don't.
A great read. Sadly the traitor Lyndon Johnson and his leftist destroyed the black family. Its a shame that currently 99% of that community give the other members a bad name.
The 12 scout laws: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. He’s right. The country would be a lot better if everyone followed those. God speed General.
The history and accomplishments of the Tuskegee airmen and great men like General McGee should become required reading for every American. They were true heroes in every sense of the word. But everyone should also understand that the politics of discrimination reached far beyond just than the treatment of blacks during the WW2 era.
My 100% Italian-American dad, the son of immigrant parents, enlisted in the Army Air Corps and reported for duty on his 18th birthday in 1943. He qualified for and excelled during basic pilot training. But upon entering advanced pilot training (in Georgia) the southern-based training officers made it very clear at the outset that none of the "greasy Wops from New York" were ever going to become pilots under their watch.
True to the trainers' word, none did -- every pilot trainee with an Italian surname or of Italian heritage was treated exceptionally harshly during training, and wound up with a final rating just below the threshold needed to become an active pilot. Considered washouts, many of these men were sent to the infantry to fight on the front lines. My dad was "fortunate" to only be 5'5", and was given the opportunity to enter training to become a navigator (since they had to be short in order to fit in a navigator's compartment on a B-17).