Tuskegee Airman Detroiter says Enemy Treated Him Better than U.S. During World War II [Slideshow]

Former fighter pilot says first black military squadron was respected by Germans, discriminated against by U.S.

The Tuskegee Airmen are the military’s first black fighter pilots.

The mobile tribute to the unit known as the “Red Tail Squadron” was in Detroit recently, featuring native son and retired Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson.

He spoke with WDET’s Quinn Klinefelter about a squadron Jefferson says was not supposed to be successful.

Check out the slideshow below for photos of Lt. Col. Jefferson and his artwork.

Author

  • Quinn Klinefelter is a Senior News Editor at 101.9 WDET. In 1996, he was literally on top of the news when he interviewed then-Senator Bob Dole about his presidential campaign and stepped on his feet.