-
Congress passes a Selective Service Act, which requires all armed services to enlist black men. On the same day the War Department announces that the Civil Aeronautics Authority, in cooperation with the U.S. Army, will start the development of "colored personnel" for the aviation service.
-
The War Department announces plans to create a "Negro pursuit squadron" whose pilots will be trained at Tuskegee, Ala. The first class of pilots begins training on July 19, and five men graduate on March 6, 1942. Learn more about the 99th Fighter Squadron.
-
The Japanese attack Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, killing 2,402 and wounding 1,282 Americans. The USS Arizona, left, belched smoke as it toppled over into the sea during the surprise attack. The U.S. entered World War II the following day, and the need for combat pilots skyrocketed. <a href="http://stltoday.mycapture.com/mycapture/enlarge.asp?image=21511195&event=650039&CategoryID=38578&picnum=6&move=B#Image" target="_blank">See more photos from the Pearl Harbor attack.</a>
-
The 447th Bombardment Group (Medium) is constituted, along with the 616th, 617th, 618th and 619th bombardment squadrons.
-
The 477th Bombardment Group (Medium) is activated at MacDill Field, Fla., with the 616th, 617th, 618th and 619th bombardment squadrons. They will become the first bomber units of the Tuskegee Airmen, but at first were not manned by black pilots.
-
The 477th Bombardment Group (Medium) and its four squadrons are inactivated.
-
The first class of twin-engine pilots graduate at Tuskegee Army Air Field, Ala. They will eventually fly B-25 bombers with the 477th Bombardment Group.
-
The 477th Bombardment Group (Medium) is activated again at Selfridge Field, Mich., along with the 616th Bombardment Squadron. The group is equipped with B-25 medium bombers. Learn more about the B-25
-
Col. Robert R. Selway Jr., a white officer who had commanded the 332nd Fighter Group from May 16 to Oct. 8, 1943, becomes commander of the 477th Bombardment Group. Learn more about the 332nd Fighter Group.
-
The 617th Bombardment Squadron is activated and assigned to the 477th Bombardment Group.
-
The 477th Bombardment Group moves from Selfridge Field, Mich., to Godman Field, Ky.
-
The 618th Bombardment Squadron is activated and assigned to the 477th Bombardment Group.
-
The 619th Bombardment Squadron is activated and assigned to the 477th Bombardment Group. The group now has all of its original squadrons.
-
The 477th Bombardement Group moves to Freeman Field, Ind.
-
61 black officers of the 477th Bombardment Group are arrested for entering an officers' club that had been closed to them. Learn more about the Freeman Field Mutiny.
-
The 477th Bombardment Group moves from Freeman Field, Ind., where there had been a racial incident, back to Godman Field, Ky.
-
Col. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. assumes command of the 477th Bombardment Group, replacing Col. Robert R. Selway Jr. The next day, the group is redesignated the 477th Composite Group. The 616th and 619th squadrons are inactivated; the 99th Fighter Squadron moves to Godman Field and is assigned to the group.
-
The 618th Bombardment Squadron is inactivated.
-
The 477th Composite Group moves to Lockbourne Army Air Base, Ohio.
-
The 617th Bombardment Squadron and the 477th Composite Group are inactivated. The 99th Fighter Squadron is reassigned to the 332nd Fighter Group, which is activated the same day.
-
President Harry S. Truman signs Executive Order 9981, officially ending segregation in the U.S. armed forces.
