TAI Memorial

Work In Progress! Fundraising Still On-Going!!

Features

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The Memorial will be located at Hampton’s Air Power Park on Mercury Boulevard (a major thoroughfare) and will be laid out with runways in the formation of Tuskegee Army Airfield where most of the Pilots were trained.


It will feature 3-full-scale P-51 Mustang replicas painted with the distinctive “Red Tail” of the Tuskegee Airmen. They will be escorting a B-25 Mitchell seen in shadow on the ground. A Story Wall, anchored by the front and reverse sides of the Congressional Gold Medal, will detail the history and accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen during the Tuskegee Airmen Aviation Experiment. A series of stanchions in the form of “Red Tails” will list the history and/or names of the Tuskegee Airmen.  The grounds will be lit for night viewing.


This Memorial is planned to be a destination point for tourists visiting Hampton, the Hampton Roads area and military personnel and their families who are relocating to anyone of the several military installations in the area.


Please donate today to support the Tuskegee Airmen Memorial of Hampton Roads!

​Why Hampton?


The city of Hampton has a long history of involvement in aviation. It was the home of NACA, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics, predecessor to NASA, and is the home to NASA Langley Research Center where the original astronauts trained. NASA LaRC continues to make great strides in aviation.


Langley Field, now Joint Base Langley-Eustis, is the home of Air Combat Command, the primary Force Provider of non-nuclear combat air-power to America's warfighting commands. The first effective military aerial reconnaissance flights were made at Fort Monroe (now a public park).


The first shipboard light took off from the USS Birmingham just off Hampton’s shore at Old Point Comfort. Hampton Institute (now Hampton University) was the site of one of six Civilian Pilot Training Programs that trained African-Americans to fly. The University operates an FAA-approved Air Traffic Control program and offers degree programs in Aviation Management and Flight Education.

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Awarded Congressional Gold
Medal March 2007

Tuskegee Airmen Inc.
                       Tidewater Chapter

Tuskegee Airmen Accomplishments


  • more than 15,000 combat sorties (including 6000+ for the 99th prior to July '44)​
  • 111 German airplanes destroyed in the air, another 150 on the ground
  • 950 railcars, trucks, and other motor vehicles destroyed
  • 1 destroyer sunk by P-47 machine gun fire (Lt. Pierson's flight)
  • sixty-six pilots killed in action or accidents
  • thirty-two pilots downed and captured, POWs
  • 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses earned
  • 744 Air Medals
  • 8 Purple Hearts
  • 14 Bronze Stars

Why a Tuskegee Airmen Memorial?

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Our Word War II veterans are known as the “Greatest Generation.” They are mostly in their 90’s now, and, according to Veterans Administration figures, are dying at a rate of approximately 492 per day. It falls on those of us who remain to tell their story. We owe it to them and the Tide-water Chapter - Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. is proud to be leading the community effort to continue their legacy of excellence!


Like other African-American veterans, the Tuskegee Airmen fought a war on two fronts: abroad and at home. They helped win the war in Europe, and returned home to fight the war against racism.  They were among 16,000 to 19,000 men (and women) during WW II who  fought for the right to fight for their own country!

This Memorial will honor the Tuskegee Airmen with some well-deserved, hard earned and over due recognition.  Additionally, the Memorial will serve to continue to educate the public about their numerous accomplishments and sacrifices while providing a place for a moment of reflection.