Victor W. Butler is a retired sergeant and one of the last known surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen known as the Red Tails, a unit whose success eventually helped desegregate the military. He served as a Tuskegee Airmen from 1941 to 1946. At the start of World War ll, Victor joined the Air Force, becoming a successful mechanic working on some of the legendary aircraft that operated during that time. Victor celebrated his centennial birthday this year, receiving many well wishes from all over the U.S.
"Tuskegee Airmen" is derived from the Tuskegee experience – an Army Air Corps program to train African Americans to fly, maintain and support combat aircraft in the 1940s. These Airmen formed the 332nd Fighter Group and the 477th Bombardment Group of the United States Army Air Forces and truly made a positive impact for the Allies in the European theatre.