PADUCAH — When you see old black and white newsreel films from World War II, you might imagine the pilots in control of the planes are white but in reality, 996 of them looked like Harold Alston, an local member of the historic African American fighter group known popularly as the Tuskegee Airmen.
"I felt like could do anything anyone else could," Alston said. "I felt proud to be able to fight, to stand up for my country."
In October 1942, he dropped out of tech school and enlisted. He ended up in Tuskegee, Alabama, as part of America's first all-black aerial combat unit. It was their job was to protect bombers from German fighters.
"It was dangerous but it was something that you just, you know, you go to do a job, do it, give it your best and that's what we did," he said. "We gave it our very best."
What is most impressive was their record. In 1500 missions, they were near perfect. No other escort unit could claim that success rate.
"I'm really proud of it," says Alston.
That's still true 67 years later and the now 92-year-old can share those proud moments on the silver screen.
"Finally, they look back and see hey, this group here played a vital role in our armed services and a successful attempt to get freedom," said Alston.
Freedom for all because courage has no color.
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