A Guide to Primary Resources for U.S. History : Tuskegee Airman Training Program United States Air Force Museum The 332nd Fighter Group Library of Congress These grouped resources present a useful expository introduction to the fighter pilots from Tuskegee Institute in Alabama as well as annotated photographs about this famous fighter group. The photo from "American Treasures" records a member of the group being given an "escape kit" containing cyanide in the event of capture in Yugoslavia. This and other information contained in these resources allows students to consider the ironies and implications of an all-black military unit fighting against a regime (Nazis) which was imbued with a spirit of white racial supremacy. The teacher can project the 332nd web page on a screen or students can look at it on a computer. The teacher can simply ask students to write down their questions about and reactions to the web page in order to facilitate a discussion. If the students need prompting, the teacher might specifically ask: Is there anything ironic about the idea of a segregated military force and the ideals Americans were fighting for in WWII? Please see the activity under VUS.10c.2

Tuskegee Airman Training Program
National Park Service: Legends of Tuskegee

The 332nd Fighter Group
Library of Congress: American Treasures

Description: These grouped resources present a useful expository introduction to the fighter pilots from Tuskegee Institute in Alabama as well as annotated photographs about this famous fighter group. The photo from "American Treasures" records a member of the group being given an "escape kit" containing cyanide in the event of capture in Yugoslavia. This and other information contained in these resources allows students to consider the ironies and implications of an all-black military unit fighting against a regime (Nazis) which was imbued with a spirit of white racial supremacy.

Teaching Tips:

"Do Now" Suggestion

The teacher can project the 332nd web page on a screen or students can look at it on a computer. The teacher can simply ask students to write down their questions about and reactions to the web page in order to facilitate a discussion. If the students need prompting, the teacher might specifically ask: Is there anything ironic about the idea of a segregated military force and the ideals Americans were fighting for in WWII?

Suggestion for Using this Resource as Part of a Lesson

Please see the activity under VUS.10c.2