TURN IT OVER · 360°
DRAG · 360°
First to Fly — The 332nd Fighter Group
S
$48.00
Sale price
$48.00
Regular price
Skip to product information
They were among the first Black military aviators in United States history — trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field at a time when the Army had studies on file claiming they lacked the aptitude to fly.
They flew anyway.
The 332nd Fighter Group escorted heavy bombers deep into enemy territory in red-tailed P-51 Mustangs — the tails painted so bomber crews could recognize them coming. Those crews learned to request them.
More than 15,000 combat sorties. 96 Distinguished Flying Crosses. One of the finest bomber-escort records of the war, flown by men who had to prove themselves twice: once to the enemy, and once to their own country.
They came home to the same segregation they left. In 1948, Executive Order 9981 desegregated the armed forces. In 2007, they received the Congressional Gold Medal — sixty years late.
They didn't just fly. They proved a point at 30,000 feet.
THE VERIFIED RECORD
332nd Fighter Group — trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama.
Flew red-tailed P-51 Mustangs on bomber-escort missions in the European theater.
More than 15,000 combat sorties flown.
96 Distinguished Flying Crosses awarded.
Congressional Gold Medal, 2007.
THE PIECE
Front: the pilot and the Mustang.
Back: the record.
Left sleeve: the crown.
Garment-dyed heavyweight cotton. Comfort Colors 1717 in black — pre-shrunk, relaxed fit, and softer every wash. Printed with the real history, verified against primary sources before it was ever put on a shirt.
Built to Endure.
Read the full record: rylandworks.com/pages/tuskegee-airmen
First to Fly — The 332nd Fighter Group
$48.00
Sale price
$48.00
Regular price
They flew anyway.
The 332nd Fighter Group escorted heavy bombers deep into enemy territory in red-tailed P-51 Mustangs — the tails painted so bomber crews could recognize them coming. Those crews learned to request them.
More than 15,000 combat sorties. 96 Distinguished Flying Crosses. One of the finest bomber-escort records of the war, flown by men who had to prove themselves twice: once to the enemy, and once to their own country.
They came home to the same segregation they left. In 1948, Executive Order 9981 desegregated the armed forces. In 2007, they received the Congressional Gold Medal — sixty years late.
They didn't just fly. They proved a point at 30,000 feet.
THE VERIFIED RECORD
332nd Fighter Group — trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field, Alabama.
Flew red-tailed P-51 Mustangs on bomber-escort missions in the European theater.
More than 15,000 combat sorties flown.
96 Distinguished Flying Crosses awarded.
Congressional Gold Medal, 2007.
THE PIECE
Front: the pilot and the Mustang.
Back: the record.
Left sleeve: the crown.
Garment-dyed heavyweight cotton. Comfort Colors 1717 in black — pre-shrunk, relaxed fit, and softer every wash. Printed with the real history, verified against primary sources before it was ever put on a shirt.
Built to Endure.
Read the full record: rylandworks.com/pages/tuskegee-airmen