Tuskegee Airman George Taylor

When George A. Taylor first left his hometown of Middlesex, Va., and enlisted in the Army Air Forces to join the Tuskegee Airmen, he did not tell his neighbors and friends of his plans.

“He never told any of them because so many of the blacks were washed out during training,” said his wife, Joan. “He didn’t want them to know, so when he did get his wings, he went home and shocked everyone.”

He became one of the original members of a segregated Army Air Forces unit at the Tuskegee Army Flying School in Alabama during World War II.

The Tuskegee Airmen were the first Black military aviators in the U.S. AAC. This group of men flew more than 15,000 sorties during World War II. All during a time of segregation in our country that was even present among our military.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Mr. Taylor flew more than 50 missions with the 100th Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group over Italy and was awarded two Bronze Stars, an Air Medal and four battle stars.

His family shared these photos with the Middlesex Museum so we could celebrate his legacy!