A Real "Red Tail" for The National WWII Museum

NEW ORLEANS, Jan. 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- With George Lucas' Red Tails soaring at the box office, The National WWII Museum announces its acquisition and restoration of a P-51 Mustang, the aircraft depicted in Hollywood's drama about the courageous fighter pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen.

The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African-American aviators in the United States military. They comprised the United States Army Air Forces 99th Fighter Squadron and 332nd Fighter Group and were trained at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama.

The Museum's P-51 D, an aircraft replete with authentic "Red Tail" markings, will hang in the new US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center. The 96 ft. tall structure, built to house the institution's spectacular collection of macro artifacts, opens on the Museum's New Orleans campus November 11, Veterans Day, this year. 

"The P-51 with 'Red Tail' markings should be a symbol of pride for all Americans," said Wendell Pierce, actor and spokesperson for the Museum's initiative to restore the plane. "But it is of special importance to black Americans as it embodies the patriotism of these pilots, who did, indeed, prove that courage has no color. I am proud to help in the Museum's efforts to honor all African-Americans who fought for their country during WWII."

Pierce's father, Amos Pierce, was drafted into the US Army in 1943 and was assigned to the famous 24th Infantry Division – the African American "Buffalo Soldiers" attached to the US Marines that took Saipan from the Japanese in 1944.

Though restricted by segregationist practices and US military policies throughout WWII, black servicemen and women performed vital efforts during the conflict. Their successes helped to spur integration of the Armed Forces in 1948. Still, widespread recognition of the contributions of African Americans did not come quickly. Pierce's father Amos, for example, did not receive his medals for combat bravery until 2009, after assistance from the Museum.

"African-Americans' experience in World War II was a fight for two victories," explains Museum President and CEO Dr. Gordon H. "Nick" Mueller. "The first was to defeat the Axis. The second was for equal rights. The Museum feels it must always convey the story of this double victory so that young generations know and understand the challenges these Americans faced. Our P-51 will serve as a touchstone for that effort."

The family of Museum board member Todd Ricketts, co-owner of the Chicago Cubs, has committed to donate $500,000 to fund the P-51's restoration, which is expected to be finished in early 2013. The Museum needs to raise another 1/2 million dollars to complete the project.

"The P-51 is the iconic aircraft of World War II and the Museum would not be complete without one," Ricketts said. "But beyond that, it is also important to recognize and honor the Tuskegee Airmen who furthered the American war effort, and civil rights for all Americans, by doing what they saw as their patriotic duty."

"We can't thank Mr. Ricketts and his family enough for their generosity," Mueller says. "Because of this gift, museum-goers will be able to enter the US Freedom Pavilion: The Boeing Center and see a real P-51, not one generated by computer graphics. It's history made real."

The National WWII Museum tells the story of the American Experience in the war that changed the world – why it was fought, how it was won, and what it means today.  Dedicated in 2000 as The National D-Day Museum and now designated by Congress as America's National WWII Museum, it celebrates the American Spirit, teamwork, optimism, courage and sacrifice of the men and women who served on the battlefront and the Home Front. For more information, call 877-813-3329 or 504-527-6012 or visit www.nationalww2museum.org. Follow us on Twitter at WWIImuseum or visit our Facebook page.

SOURCE The National WWII Museum