Captain Roscoe C. Brown, Jr. – squadron commander of the 100^th Fighter Squadron of the 332^nd Fighter Group – the famed Tuskegee Airmen or “Red Tails” – passed away in New York on July 2. Mr. Brown was 94. “Roscoe Brown and all of the Tuskegee Airmen overcame so much adversity to become one of the most respected units of the Army Air Corps in World War II,” said Jim Kidrick, President & CEO of the San Diego Air & Space Museum. “They were true American heroes who served their county with great distinction. We are proud to honor Roscoe Brown and all of the men from his unit in the International Air & Space Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum.” The Tuskegee Airmen were inducted into the International Air & Space Hall of Fame at the San Diego Air & Space Museum in 2008.

Mr. Brown and fellow airman Lee Archer were on hand at the Museum and accepted the induction on behalf of all of the Tuskegee Airmen. The Museum’s North American P51D Mustang “Bunnie” is painted in honor of Brown and the Tuskegee Airmen. Lt. Col. (Ret.) Archer passed away at age 90 in 2010. Known as the “Red tails” because of their unit markings, the Tuskegee Airmen saw their first combat mission in North Africa in 1943. They were initially equipped with P-40 Warhawks and P-39 Airacobras. Later they had P-47 Thunderbolts, and finally were given the airplane they would become most identified with, the P-51 Mustang. By the end of World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen achieved an impressive combat record, shooting down well over 100 German aircraft and receiving three distinguished unit citations. The Tuskegee Airmen were also awarded several Silver Stars, 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 8 Purple Hearts, 14 Bronze Stars and 744 Air Medals. Their valiant efforts lead the way to the desegregation of the armed forces in 1948. For more about Roscoe Brown’s amazing life, visit http://sandiegoairandspace.org/press/release/san-diego-air-space-museum-remembers-famed-tuskegee-airman-roscoe-brown.