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A Tale of Two Black Heroes The new movie "Red Tails'" is a story that a lot of Blacks are hanging around to watch on the big screen. This is the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, an All-Black squadron of fighter pilots dedicated to escorting and defending U.S. bombers during World War II. The squadron members dealt with racial discrimination at almost every turn however they persevered and have become a legend in the military services, even if they may be only famous within a small scope. One of the many great heroes within the motion picture is General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., among the first Blacks to fly in the Army Air Corps, but also the first leader of the 99th Pursuit Squadron. Davis really is a intriguing story of success, the 1st Black to graduate from the Us Military Academy. During his time there, he was rejected by his classmates who refused to talk to him outside of the call of duty. Nevertheless, he finished near the top of his class, getting his commission as an officer. Interestingly, he became only the second active combat officer at that moment, the other being his father (Benjamin O. Davis, Sr. would get to be the first Black General in the U.S. Army). Benjamin, Jr. wasn't able to start flying immediately in that the Army Air Corps was segregated and there were no Black squadrons. After teaching military tactical classes at Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama, Davis was sent to train at Tuskegee field and was the first Black pilot to take a solo flight in an Army Air Corps plane. Eventually he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was assigned to head up the 99th Pursuit Squadron whom society knows as the Tuskegee Airmen. When racist attitudes inside the highest ranks in the Army Air Corps made an effort to scuttle the Black flying squadron, Davis fought back, arguing for his pilots in presentations at the Pentagon. Gradually, the Army found in his favor and the Tuskegee Airmen continued to fly, turning out to be one of the favored Bomber escorts during the war. Davis would proceed to advance up in the ranks of the Air Force, ultimately becoming the 1st Black Air Force General. On the other side of this story is Doris "Dorie" Miller. Miller was the cook onboard the USS West Virginia on December 7, 1941, Dorie was a powerful man, having been a football player in senior high school in Waco, Texas and was the Heavyweight boxing champion on the USS West Virginia. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, the West Virginia was one of several ships struck by torpedoes. In the attack, Dorie was sent to drag several sailors to safety. He made an effort to lug the ship's Captain to safety yet the Captain refused to leave his post. Miller was ordered to help load two of the ship's anti-aircraft machine guns but shocked everyone when he grabbed one of the guns and commenced shooting at dive-bombing Japanese aircrafts. Though it may be doubtful that Miller actually shot down any Japanese planes, he heroic actions made him a symbol of the sailor wanting to do anything to battle the enemy. He was assigned the Navy Cross and his face was plastered all over recruiting posters. Sadly for Dorie, he past away 24 months later after the escort cruiser he was on (Liscome Bay) to was sunk in the Battle of Tarawa. Both Doris Miller and Benjamin O. Davis Jr. were recognized after their deaths. In the movie "Red Tails" Davis is plainly the basis for the character Col. A.J. Bullard (played by actor Terrance Howard) and Doris Miller was the basis of characters from the movies Tora Tora Tora and Pearl Harbor. These are just a couple of the truly amazing black heroes that are pertinent during Black history month. Thanks to movies such as Red Tails, the world is learning more and more about them. Explore More Information about Black History Heroes
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Black history, african american heroes, Black military,
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