MI SR0122

Designates March 29, 2022, as Tuskegee Airmen Day in Michigan to honor the historic contributions of African American military pilots during World War II.

Tuskegee Airmen flew over 15,000 sorties, destroyed more than 1,000 German aircraft, and received hundreds of Air Medals and over 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses during WWII from January 1941 to July 1949.

More than 52 service members from Michigan served as Tuskegee Airmen, with 15 pilots losing their lives on training exercises in Michigan at Selfridge Field and Oscoda Army Air Field.

The Tuskegee Airmen Organization was formally established on August 11-13, 1972, with the Detroit chapter becoming the founding incorporated chapter on March 6, 1973; the organization now has 62 chapters nationwide.

March 29 was selected as the commemorative date because it marks when the first cadets received their silver wings, the first maintenance crew began training, the 99th Pursuit Squadron was activated, and President George W. Bush presented the Congressional Gold Medal to the Tuskegee Airmen in 2007.