Context

In September 1939, Germany's invasion of Poland marked the official beginning of World War II. The United States entered the war after Japan's surprise attack at Pearl Harbor in December 1941. Before WWII, the existence of the Jim Crow laws excluded African Americans from actively participating in high-ranking military roles. With the support of the NAACP, the United States government established an all-black fighter squadron to train at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. The Tuskegee Airmen demonstrated clear success when fighting, resulting in numerous medals for their bravery. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​