Despite limited opportunities early on, African-Americans have played a pivotal role in United States aviation and military history. From the American Revolution and the Civil War to the astronauts of today, African-Americans have not let circumstances hold them back.

One of the most highly touted of these success stories is the triumph of the Tuskegee Airmen. Prior to 1940, African-Americans were thought to lack the ability to master the training and leadership skills required to succeed in combat. More