The Michigan chronicle. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1936-current, 1943-06-12
Negro Officers To Continue In New Guinea Campaign
Patterson Hopes Negroes
ToBecome BomberPil

WASHINGTON CANP) Ex-
pressing the hope that the army air
corps may see It's way clear in the
near future 10 start the develop
ment Of plans for training Negroes
as bomber pilots. DR.. F. D. Pstter-
son president of TuSkegee institute
pointed out here this week that he
next logical step was the opening
OF bomber pilot and bombardier
training to Negroes. DR., Patterson
said tina: mot only would this give
Negroes entrance into another de-
sirable unit in the armed forces Of
the nation but IT would serve ~
make the most effective use Of the
young men who. while failing 10
secure their wings as fighter pilots.
may be qualified TO serve as bonn
bardiers.
approximately 50 per cent OF the
men who 20 in training for fighter
pilots fail TO complete that course"
said DR. Patterson This should not
be stigma upon these young men
who are the very finest OF Negro
youth. They are we'll educated.
fine specimens physically and only
because Of some little defect in CO.
ordinstion or some minor failure
10 fulfilI al the rigid requirements
for fighter pilots. many lind them
selves washed out" and al present
ineligible TO other phases Of flying
in the air corps. The shock OF this
failure in the early training period
20 some who did not realize that
were unable 10 make the grade.
produced temporary but severe re-
action in one or two cases.
White flying cadets are washed
OUT a; approximately the same
rate that Negro cadets are. Out
Of every class which starts, approx
imaiely so per cent get through
White pilots. however. are often
transferred 10 bomber schools
where they have an opportunity 10
qualify as bomber plane pilots as
bombardiers. naviGaiors or some
other phase Of aviation. Negro
cadets who are washed out" haven't
had this opportunity because no
bomber schools have been opened
To Negroes They have, il is true
been frequently given the privilege
% training as officers in some other
branch OF he service"
III Negroes are admitted 20 bomb
ing schools. IL will greatly increase
the number Of Negro nyng Of
liccIS The fighter pilot is Of course
IN a preferred class lie is the
cvnocSure OF all eyes He gets the
major share of glory and adula,on
because he operates Singly. Most
% the decorations. and citations and
much of the individual credit is
earned by fighters like the boys Of
the 99th because tney operate sin
Gle handed, flying and fighting in
spectacular fashion by themselves
lUt b'ittO'A plipA UlbSN SIldlt MS
glory The bombardcr gets the
cred; II his bomb drops effective
" The navigator gets credit IL the
>Hp is properly placed There
must bc whole teams trained Ia
work together. That viii be a fine
experience for Negro flyers.
Il am exceedingly gra,f,d with
,hc fine progress which is being
made by our cadets al TuSkcgcc.
and am confident that every Negro
Will thrill with pride when the 99th
and our other fighter pilots have an
opportunity 10 demonstrate their
worth. predict that the goth will
make record of which the entire
army ayr corps viii also be proud
and am very confident that the
very atmosphere IN which these
men trained has been a potent fac
tor IA tAtlc. Development. | hope
the army air corps may see is way
clear to open the way for Negro
cadets to enter bomber schools at
an carly date"
II IS understood that DR. raitcr-
son has made recommendation