Did you know that Cincinnati is home to one of 45 Tuskegee Airmen chapters in the U.S., and includes 18 members whom are considered “original” Airmen?

The Greater Cincinnati Airmen, Inc. was founded in 1986 by Charles O. Southern. Its members come from many diverse professions but share in common an interest to preserve the Tuskegee Airmen legacy, sharing its heritage with future generations.

The Greater Cincinnati Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.

Despite racial segregation during World War II, 450 Black fighter pilots fought in the aerial war over North Africa, Sicily, and Europe, completing 1,578 missions in P-39, P-40, P-47 and P-51 aircraft. Dubbed “Schwartze Vogelmenshen” (Black Birdmen) by Germans, and “the Black Red Tail Angels” by white American bomber crews, the Black fighter pilots’ gallant reputation was both respected and feared because they didn’t lose a single escorted bomber to enemy fighters and they were highly decorated for their service. The Tuskegee Airmen legacy is also shared with civilians who provided ground support duty and the men and women who remained in the military after World War II who integrated the U.S. Air Force.

Read the biographies of men from the The Greater Cincinnati Airmen, Inc., here.

Honoring the heroic actions of the Tuskegee Airmen, The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center hosts a showing of the film, Double Victory: Two Warriors in the Fight for Civil Rights During WWII., a documentary companion to the George Lucas-produced film, Red Tails. Following the showing of Double Victory, guests will have the opportunity to participate in a question and answer session with the visiting Tuskegee Airmen, as well as a light reception and a book signing by several members of the Airmen.

When: January 28, 2:00 pm- 4:00 pm

Where: National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

Cost: Free, thanks to a PNC sponsorship for Black History Month

For more information and to RSVP for “Double Victory,” visit: http://freedomcenter.org/freedom-forum/index.php/event/double-victory-cincinnati-chapter-tuskegee-airmen/.

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Funding for this program was made possible in part by the Ohio Humanities Council with support by the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in the program do not necessarily reflect those of the National Endowment of the Humanities, or of the Ohio Humanities Council.