Mural of Tuskegee Airmen Honoring Aviation War Heroes Debuts at Los Angeles Airport.

City Desks, News Editors & Travel Writers

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 28, 2002

A mural honoring the courageous World War II African-American fighter pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen makes its debut at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on the Lower/Arrival Level of Terminal 3. The mural is the first artwork on exhibit at LAX under the newly managed Art Exhibits Program, a partnership between Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) and the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department. The mural will be on display during the next four months.

The 12-foot by 60-foot mural features 50 pilots and crewmen altogether, who shared in the Tuskegee experience during World War II. A plaque is mounted on the wall identifying each of the faces on the mural including a brief historical summary. With more than 30 years experience as an artist, Stan Stokes was commissioned by the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department and The Mural Foundation, whose membership is comprised of Tuskegee Airmen alumni, to pay homage to these brave servicemen. Stokes has produced hundreds of aviation-related paintings documenting historical events, people and places. Many of his original paintings are displayed at the Palm Springs Air Museum.

"The Tuskegee Airmen represent an important part of aviation history," said Kim Day, LAWA deputy executive director of Project Management and Facilities Planning, responsible for the Art Exhibits Program. "LAX is proud to be the first venue to display this mural recognizing some of our country's aviation war heroes."

"Our partnership with LAX continues to recognize the many opportunities to both educate large audiences through the eyes of the artist and to cause those viewers to reflect on the legacy of such great statesmen as the Tuskegee Airmen. The Cultural Affairs Department considers this to be a fine example of joint venturing between city departments and the artist community," said Margie J. Reese, general manager of the Cultural Affairs Department.

With the advent of World War II, pressure mounted on the U.S. War Department to utilize Blacks as officers and pilots in the then U.S. Army Air Corps despite its segregation policies. The only facilities for Basic and Advanced Flight Training for Black pilots were at the Tuskegee Army Air Field and nearby Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Eager to serve their country, young Black men from every region of America enlisted, with large numbers coming from New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Chicago and Detroit.

The Tuskegee Airmen flew P-39s, P-40s, and custom-painted, red-tailed P-47s and P-51s in 15,533 sorties over 1,578 missions throughout Europe and North Africa between May 1943 and June 1945. They never lost a single bomber while escorting over 200 bombing missions. Even though white American pilots were not expected to fly more than 50 missions, their African-American counterparts flew closer to 100 missions due to lack of replacements -- doubling their chances of injury and death.

As highly skilled pilots, the Tuskegee Airmen destroyed 251 enemy aircraft; sank a German destroyer using only their machine guns; and disabled more than 600 box cars, locomotives and rolling stock. Their impressive and successful war accomplishments would not have been possible without the collaboration of more than 10,000 African-American men and women on ground support duty which included mechanics, medical technicians, administrative support and cooks.

During World War II, 66 Tuskegee pilots were killed in action and another 33 became prisoners of war. Collectively, the Tuskegee Airmen courageously earned 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, Legions of Merit and the Red Star of Yugoslavia, nine Purple Hearts, 14 Bronze Stars, 744 Air Medals and clusters, and three distinguished unit citations. In 1948, President Harry Truman officially integrated the Armed Forces.

"This mural has been an on-going project for the past couple of years involving the efforts of former City Councilwoman Rita Walters, LAWA, the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department and The Mural Foundation chaired by Tuskegee Airman Dr. Willis Duffy," said Bill Terry, Tuskegee Airman alumnus and member of the LAX Area Citizens Advisory Committee. "I'm so excited that the mural commemorating our country's heroes has finally come to fruition for all to view."

The Los Angeles Board of Airport Commissioners approved a Memorandum of Understanding in May with the City of Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department to administer and provide curatorial services for the Art Exhibits Program at LAX and Ontario International (ONT) Airport. The purpose of the Art Exhibits Program is to educate, entertain and amuse the travelling public by showcasing Southern California's talent. The program emphasizes a cultural experience featuring highlights of what makes the Los Angeles region unique and interesting. The exhibits may be artistic, historical, popular or graphic design in nature and may arise from museums, industry, design, fine art, cultures, theater, archives, sports, environment, transportation or other areas. LAWA currently has art exhibit displays in Terminals 1, 3 and the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX, and in Terminals 2 and 4 at ONT. After four months at LAX, the Tuskegee Airmen mural will be permanently housed at the Palm Springs Air Museum.

(Note to Editors: Digital photos are available from LAX Public Relations by calling 310/646-5260.)