General H.H. Arnold unequivocally stated that "no Blacks would ever pilot a plane in the upcoming war [World War II.]"
The myth was debunked with the help of the US Congress. On June 27th, 1939, the Civilian Training Act was passed with the objective being the creation of a pool of civilian pilots in the event that the country should become involved in the war.
Legal segregation denied African-Americans the required training to become pilots, as it was only available at all-white flight schools. As a result of strong protest, the War Department capitulated and an all-black flight school was established at Tuskegee Air Force Base.
This action produced the first African-American combat pilots, who became known as the Tuskegee Airmen of the 99th Pursuit Squadron. Colonel Benjamin O. Davis Jr., son of the first African-American general, who became a general himself in 1965, came out of this squadron.
