An American Pilot: Alexander Jefferson
By FUPress
24th September 2009
Red Tail Captured, Red Tail Free
Around the broadcast of The War, Detroit Public TV presented several short vignettes honoring Michiganians who served in World War II or supported the effort here at home. Alexander Jefferson, author of Red Tail Captured, Red Tail Free: The Memoirs of a Tuskegee Airman and POW , was one of the people interviewed.
Unbelievably, a time existed when conventional wisdom stated that African Americans were not smart enough or coordinated enough to fly a plane. Lieutenant Alexander Jefferson and the Tuskegee Airmen not only proved them wrong but were also awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in 2007 (Michigan Voices of War DVD) .