Pingry Remembers America’s Heroes – A Visit with a Tuskegee Airman
November 11, 2002

In 1941, the beginning of U. S. involvement in World War II, the armed forces were segregated to the degree that African-American citizens could not serve in the US Air Force. With the force of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt behind them, a small group of African-American aviators were schooled at an isolated training complex near Tuskegee, Alabama and added to the Air Force roster as an experiment. Eventually, more than 900 men were trained and 450 flew in the aerial war over North Africa, Italy, and Europe. They became known as the “Black Redtail Angels” because of the red painted tail on their aircraft. The Black Redtail Angels escorted bombers into strategic target areas through enemy lines. During their years of service, not one U. S. bomber plane was lost to enemy fire with a Redtail escort. On November 8, 2002, the Awareness Club at The Pingry School welcomed Lt. Colonel Thomas E. Highsmith Jr., and Leroy Gillead III, Esq. to speak about the Tuskegee Airmen. Lt. Col. Highsmith spoke of his experiences in training as an Air Force pilot during an era of severe segregation and rampant racism. He spoke of his pride of serving his country and being a model for other young African-Americans aspiring to serve in the armed forces. Mr. Gillead spoke with several students after the assembly about his father’s involvement in the Tuskegee Airmen and his own experiences as a national representative of the Hannibal M. Cox chapter. Pingry students had the opportunity to learn first hand about the power of the human spirit to overcome adversity and the desire to serve one’s country. They heard stories of discrimination by individuals and groups towards men who went on to achieve greatness in American history. The students gained valuable insight about the power of determination, the need to do what is morally right, and the honor associated with service. © 2002 The Pingry School