#first black

The Black pilot for the historic Artemis II lunar mission is U.S. Navy Captain Victor Glover. He is set to become the first Black astronaut to fly around the Moon. 

 Glover often speaks about the importance of family and his desire to represent his community, drawing inspiration from his grandfather, who served in the Air Force during the Korean War but was not allowed to fly due to his race.

Lt. Charles Bailey Sr.: One of the First Black Fighter Pilots in U.S. History Charles Bailey Sr., born in 1918 in Punta Gorda, Florida, made history as one of the original Tuskegee Airmen—America’s first group of Black military fighter pilots during World War II. He was the first Black pilot from Florida to earn his wings and serve in combat, breaking racial barriers at a time when segregation was deeply rooted in both the military and society.Bailey graduated from Bethune-Cookman College, a historically Black college founded by Mary McLeod Bethune. Inspired by a desire to serve his country and defy the expectations set by racism, he applied to the U.S. Army Air Corps’ segregated pilot training program at Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. He completed his training in 1943 and became one of the elite pilots of the 99th Fighter Squadron.

Flying P-40 and later P-51 fighter planes, Lt. Bailey completed more than 130 combat missions in Europe. He protected American bombers from enemy attacks, often flying deep into enemy territory. His service earned him the Air Medal and other commendations, but perhaps more importantly, it helped prove that Black Americans were equally capable and deserving of full participation in military service.

After the war, Bailey returned to Florida and worked for the Veterans Administration. Though he and many of the Tuskegee Airmen weren’t fully recognized during their time, their contributions paved the way for the integration of the U.S. Armed Forces in 1948.

Fun Fact ✨

Madame C.J. Walker was the first Black person in the US to own a swimming pool 🙂