Two Heroes for Black History Month

A Tale of Two Black Heroes



The new movie "Red Tails'" is a story that many Blacks are waiting to watch on the big screen. This is the story about the Tuskegee Airmen, an All-Black squadron of fighter pilots committed to escorting and defending U.S. bombers during World War Two. The squadron members suffered racial discrimination at virtually every turn nonetheless they persevered and have become a legend in the armed forces, even if they may be only famous within a small scope.



One of many great heroes within the motion picture is General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., among the first Blacks to fly within the Army Air Corps, but also the first leader of the 99th Pursuit Squadron. Davis is definitely a amazing story of success, the first Black to graduate from the U. S. Military Academy. During his time there, he was rejected by his classmates who refused to talk to him beyond the call of duty. Nonetheless, he graduated near the top of his class, receiving his commission as an officer. Remarkably, he became the second active combat officer at that time, the other being his father (Benjamin O. Davis, Sr. would get to be the first Black General in the United States Army).



Benjamin, Jr. was not able to start flying immediately due to the fact 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 assigned to train at Tuskegee field and was the first Black pilot to make a solo flight in an Army Air Corps plane. Later he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and was sent to head up the 99th Pursuit Squadron whom everyone would know as being the Tuskegee Airmen.



When racist attitudes throughout the top ranks in the Army Air Corps tried to scuttle the Black flying squadron, Davis fought back, arguing on behalf of his pilots in speeches at the Pentagon. Finally, the Army found in his favor and the Tuskegee Airmen continued to fly, evolving into one of the favored Bomber escorts during the war.



Davis would go on to advance up in the ranks of the Air Force, eventually turning out to be the 1st Black Air Force General.



On the other side of this story is Doris "Dorie" Miller. Miller was a cook on the USS West Virginia on December 7, 1941, Dorie was a strong man, previously being a football player in senior high school in Waco, Texas and was the Heavyweight boxing champ on the USS West Virginia. The moment the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, the West Virginia was on the list of ships hit by torpedoes. During the attack, Dorie was ordered to pull numerous sailors to safety. He attempted to carry the ship's Captain to safety but the Captain would not leave his post. Miller was instructed to help load two of the ship's anti-aircraft machine guns but shocked everyone when he took one of the guns and commenced firing at dive-bombing Japanese planes.



Even though it is doubtful that Miller actually shot down any Japanese planes, he heroic actions made him a symbol of the sailor able to take desperate measures to battle the enemy. He was assigned the Navy Cross and his face was seen across recruitment posters. Unfortunately for Dorie, he past away 24 months later after the vessel he was assigned to (Liscome Bay) to was sunk during the Battle of Tarawa. 



Both Doris Miller and Benjamin O. Davis Jr. were recognized after their deaths. In the movie "Red Tails" Davis is obviously the basis for the character Col. A.J. Bullard (portrayed by actor Terrance Howard) and Doris Miller is actually the basis of characters in the movies Tora Tora Tora and Pearl Harbor. These are merely a couple of the great black heroes that are important during Black history month. Thanks to movies such as Red Tails, the world is learning more and more about them.