BLACK PILOTS

There were not many black pilots in WW-2 but I did come
into contact with them at one time. They were good, they had
to be, and we have many records of their deeds now although
we didn't hear much about them then.
We of the 305th Bomb Group were on a mission into
southern Germany when we received an escort of P-51 Mustangs
piloted by black pilots out of Italy. We tuned in to their
radio frequency so we could hear what they were saying. One
pilot was putting up a very good argument for returning to
base and he was lagging behind the others a little. This is
the way the conversation went. "Boss man, I gotta turn back,
I'm gonna run outta gas." "What ya mean Boy, You outta gas?
You got jus' as much as we has. Get yo black ass back in
formation, these boys need our help!" We did need their help
and were very grateful for it. lb