The Tuskegee Airmen were a groundbreaking group of African American pilots and support crews who fought bravely in World War II, breaking both enemy lines and racial barriers. Trained at the Tuskegee Army Airfield in Alabama, they flew thousands of missions, escorting bombers and earning a reputation for skill and courage. Their success challenged segregation in the military and helped pave the way for civil rights, leaving a legacy of heroism, pride, and historic change.

In 1998, Bob Williams approached artist, Stan Stokes, with the idea of producing a memorial mural for the Tuskegee Airmen. After some discussion, Stan agreed. This project began in late 2000 and was finished a year later. It was then shipped from the Palm Springs Air Museum where it was delivered to Los Angeles International Airport, Northwest Air Terminal. It was on display for nearly a year. Subsequently it was returned to the Palm Springs Air Museum where it is on permanent display.

The images on the mural are from WWII photographs of actual Tuskegee Airmen many of which came to view the progress of this marvelous work of art.

Unfortunately Bob Williams passed away before the mural was completed. It is the goal of Stan Stokes to continue bringing recognition to the Tuskegee Airmen through paintings, books and lectures.

Tuskegee Airmen Walter Palmer

One of my paintings honoring the Tuskegee Airmen is of Walter Palmer standing by his P-51C Mustang "Duchess II". On July 18, 1944, Walter shot down am Messerschmitt 109 with this Mustang. He flew P-39's, P-40's, P-47's and P-51's with the 100th…
Tuskegee Army Airfield 2008Stan Stokes

Tuskegee Army Airfield

Gathering of Tuskegee Airmen in 2008 at Tuskegee Army Airfield, Tuskegee Alabama. The property had been in private ownership for quite a while, but the property owner graciously opened it up to the Airmen. This is where they had their advanced…
Tuskegee Airman Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.Stan Stokes

General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr.

General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. Benjamin O. Davis Jr. entered the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., in July 1932. He was shunned by his classmates for the entire time he was there. He persevered through the next 4 years and graduated…
Stan Stokes oil painting of lt. Col. Bob FriendStan Stokes

Lt. Col. Bob Friend

Lt. Col. Robert Friend After flight training at Tuskegee Army Airfield, Bob Friend became a fighter pilot with the 332nd Fighter Group in Italy just in time for the Anzio Invasion. At the time, the 4 squadrons within the 332nd were flying…
Stan Stokes painting of Tuskegee Airman Alton Ballard.Stan Stokes

Tuskegee Airman Alton Ballard

Tuskegee Airman Alton Ballard was a fighter pilot with the famous 332nd fighter Group - the "Red Tails". In 1942, Alton Ballard was a new cadet in class 43-H-SE at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Tuskegee, Alabama. In primary training, he had…
Tuskegee Airman Freddie HutchensStan Stokes

Capt. Freddie Hutchens

Capt. Freddie E. Hutchins Tuskegee Airman Freddie Hutchins of Donaldsonville, Ga., graduated from flight training on April 29, 1943, at Tuskegee Army Air Field in Alabama. In December, he deployed to Italy with the 302nd Fighter Squadron,…
Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Paul LehmanStan Stokes

Tuskegee Airman Paul Lehman

Tuskegee Airman Paul Lehman enlisted into the United States Army in November , 1942. He received navigator/bombardier training at Hondo, Texas. Later at Lockbourne Air Force Base in Ohio, Lt. Lehman served as Post Exchange Officer for the 477th…
Stan Stokes painting of Tuskegee Airman Colonel William CampbellStan Stokes

Tuskegee Airman William Campbell

Colonel William Campbell Tuskegee Airman William Campbell, ss a member of Tuskegee Class SE-42-SE, graduated from the program on July 3, 1942. He was now a second lieutenant. Campbell was then assigned to the 99th Pursuit Squadron. The…
Tuskegee Airman Robert WilliamsStan Stokes

Tuskegee Airman Robert Williams

Tuskegee Airman Robert Williams Born in Ottumwa, Iowa, Robert “Bob” Williams was a Tuskegee Airman and pioneer Aviator who spearheaded a movie project about them.  Bob’s father was a pilot and he encouraged his two sons to learn to…
Tuskegee Airman Robert Ashby and his aircraft.Stan Stokes

Tuskegee Airman Bob Ashby

Tuskegee Airman Bob Ashby Bob Ashby enlisted in the Army Air Corps at age seventeen as a candidate for the Aviation Cadet program. He was called to active duty in August 1944. Bob as was assigned to Keesler Field, Mississippi for basic training…
The AT-6 Texan advanced trainer at Tuskegee Army Air Field.Stan Stokes

Tuskegee Army Air Field

In the flight training process, new cadets learned how to fly a small airplane like a Piper Cub. After the Cub, they had dual instruction in an aircraft like the Boeing Stearman PT-17. At that point, they transferred to Tuskegee Army Air Field…
Stan Stokes painting of Tuskegee Airman Walter PalmerStan Stokes

Tuskegee Airman Walter Palmer

Tuskegee Airman Walter Palmer Born in 1921, 1st Lt. Walter J.A. Palmer became a US Army Air Force pilot  in 1943 graduating in class SE-43-F. He flew 158 combat missions over Italy and Germany during World War II. He was assigned to…
Jack Holsclaw painting by Stan StokesStan Stokes

Tuskegee Airman Jack Holsclaw

Tuskegee Airman Jack Holsclaw In his senior year of college, Jack Holsclaw enrolled in the government sponsored Civilian Pilot Training Program and earned his pilot's license. On October 5, 1942, he enlisted in the army as a private. He…
Stan Stokes painting of Lt. Col. Clarence JamisonStan Stokes

Tuskegee Airman Clarence Jamison

Tuskegee Airman Clarence Jamison Lt. Col. Clarence C. Jamison was a pioneering Tuskegee Airman, with 22-years of military service during and after World War II. His journey from Little Rock, Arkansas to Anzio, Italy and to Korea is one of…
A painting of Tuskegee Airman by Stan Stokes. The painting is on display at the Palm Springs Air Museum.Stan Stokes

Tuskegee Airman Rusty Burns

Tuskegee Airman “Rusty” Burns Tuskegee Airman “Rusty” Burns was born Isham Albert Burns in New Orleans in 1925. He and his family moved to Los Angels in 1939. He attended Jordon High School where he studied aeronautics. When he turned…
The P-39 Airacobra and the pilots of the 302nd Fighter Squadron.Stan Stokes

Tuskegee Airmen P-39 Airacobra

There is a little known story that most people are't aware of, the Tuskegee Airmen P-39 Airacobra. The first of the four fighter squadrons to deploy into combat from Tuskegee Alabama was the 99th FS. They deployed to North Africa and were…
Tuskegee Airman George "Spanky" RobertsStan Stokes

George “Spanky” Roberts

Tuskegee Airman George “Spanky” Roberts Tuskegee Airman George “Spanky” Roberts had already received his pilot’s license in the Civilian Pilot Training Program when he entered flight training in the first class at Tuskegee, Alabama. …
Lt. Col. Harry Stewart, oil paint on canvas by Stan StokesStan Stokes

Lt. Col. Harry Stewart

This is my painting honoring Lt. Col. Harry Stewart . He signed up with the US Army Air Corps on his 18th birthday and completed his pilot training at Tuskegee Army Airfield on June 25th, 1944. Shortly afterward, he was sent to Italy as a part…