Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day

By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day

WHEREAS, the Tuskegee Airmen were the first African American military aviators in the United States, serving in the Army Air Forces during the height of World War II in 1941; and

WHEREAS, Tuskegee Institute in Alabama was one of six historically Black schools that helped open the doors for the first African American military pilots, who became known as the Tuskegee Airmen; and

WHEREAS, the Tuskegee Airmen included pilots, navigators, bombardiers, maintenance crews, instructors, and other support officers, enlisted, and civilian personnel whose outstanding performance record was unprecedented in military aviation history, thus disproving every adverse, prejudiced contention made prior to World War II; and

WHEREAS, more than 16,000 men and women were a part of the Tuskegee Airmen Experience, earning approximately 96 Distinguished Flying Crosses and Congressional Gold Medals for their success; and

WHEREAS, the Tuskegee Airmen flew more than 15,000 missions during World War II over North Africa and Europe, accomplishing extraordinary achievements with unparalleled skill, determination, and grit; and

WHEREAS, the Tuskegee Airmen paved the path for the desegregation of the U.S. military with the signing of Executive Order 9981 in 1948, marking a turning point in U.S. history; and

WHEREAS, at one time, 38 pilots and more than 400 ground support crew members had roots in the Commonwealth of Virginia, including Lt. Col. Howard Lee Baugh, Clemenceau "Clem" Givings, Captain Andrew Maples Jr., and William R. White; and

WHEREAS, the month of March is special for the Tuskegee Airmen as the month the first aviation cadets started their flight training, the first maintenance crew began training at Chanute Field in Illinois, and the 99th Pursuit Squadron, the first all-African American squadron, was established; and

WHEREAS, on Tuskegee Airmen Commemoration Day we honor the brave men and women who inspire current and future generations to pursue excellence, produce impact, and leave an indelible mark on our nation's history;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor, do hereby recognize the day of March 26, 2026, as TUSKEGEE AIRMEN COMMEMORATION DAY in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.