Nassau OKs street as 'Tuskegee Airmen Way'
A fellow Tuskegee Airman salutes during a graveside service for Tuskegee Airman William Wheeler, a 47-year Hempstead resident, who was among black pilots who broke the color bar when they flew WWII combat missions over Europe, in Hempstead. (July 29, 2011) Credit: Ed Betz
The Nassau County Legislature Monday unanimously approved honoring black pilots of World War II by naming a portion of Oak Street in Uniondale "Tuskegee Airmen Way."
The action was sponsored by Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano.
"The Tuskegee Airmen served our nation with bravery and courage and this is the least we can do to recognize their distinguished service in defending our nation's freedom," he said.
The Tuskegee airmen were the first group of black pilots in the nation's armed forces and are credited with protecting the bombers they escorted better than any other U.S. fighter group.
Because of their record and the distinctive red paint on the tail section of the 332nd Group's planes, the Tuskegee pilots were often called "Red-Tail Angels" or just "Red-Tails."
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