Day 2, book 2
Lonely Eagles, The Story of America’s Black Air Force in World War II by Robert A. Rose , D.D.S.
This short, amply illustrated book, documents in sometimes exhausting detail the difficulties in establishing the right of Blacks to serve as pilots and support in a segregated military. It’s long on names, units, aircraft, logistics and otherwise dry administrative detail, but provides a glimpse into the struggles inherent in proving the abilities and capabilities of Blacks against at a background of individual and institutional prejudice. Jim Crow attitudes and behavior throughout the country and throughout government were very real and very personal. The author does include some operational stories — combat — but it would have been a more interesting read to have had more of that. However, the domestic fight against Institutional racism is a more important story. This is an enlightening, positive, yet depressing look at mid-century America that is missing from mainstream education. ( )