FL H9063

Honors the Tuskegee Airmen, an exclusively African American pursuit squadron formed in 1941 based in Tuskegee, Alabama, for overcoming segregation and prejudice to become one of World War II's most respected fighter groups.

Recognizes Lt. Charles P. Bailey, Sr., the first black aviator from Florida to become a Tuskegee Airman and last of Punta Gorda's "Fighting Bailey Brothers," who flew 133 combat missions and earned an Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Documents the Tuskegee Airmen's combat record including over 15,000 sorties, 111 German airplanes destroyed in air combat, 150 destroyed on the ground, and 66 enemy pilots killed in action or accidents.

Notes the Tuskegee Airmen earned 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 744 Air Medals, 8 Purple Hearts, and 14 Bronze Stars, and paved the way for full integration of the United States Armed Forces in 1948 under President Harry S. Truman.