The new film “Red Tails” is about the first black aerial combat unit. According to the “Red Tails” website, the Tuskegee Airmenshowed courage, skill and dedication in combat.

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They flew more than 15,000 sorties, completing over 1,500 missions during the war. They never lost an escorted bomber to enemy fighters. No other escort unit could claim such a record.

Though these were amazing pilots, credit should also be given to their flight instructors. During a racially divided time, Joseph Wren Allen took on the responsibility of being the first flight instructor for the Tuskegee Airmen.

Vintage photo of the Tuskegee Airmen. c. 1940 Source: Tuskegee Airmen

On Nov. 18, 1939, “The Pittsburgh Courier” wrote an article about Allen and the impact he was making.

“One of the finest gestures of inter-racial cooperation, the officials of the Alabama metropolis agreed to allow the Tuskegee students to use their port for flight training and instruction.

Commercial pilot Joseph Allen willingly offered his services as an instructor in flying.”

Allen’s daughter Judy Chase is an Auburn local who sings her father’s praises and is proud to tell his story.

“It was back in 1939, and at that time they did not have any airports in Tuskegee, but they had a municipal airport in Montgomery.

My father was the only flight instructor in the central Alabama area. He also owned and operated Alabama Air Service so President Patterson of Tuskegee University contacted him and asked if he would be willing to train the Tuskegee Airmen,” said Chase.

“He graciously said he would, and the young men began coming to him for their flight training. The men would take their classes at Tuskegee in the morning and then they would drive an hour to Montgomery in the afternoon to get their flight lesson,” said Chase.

“My father started with 20 men from Tuskegee. After he trained these airmen, he would let them become the leaders because of how well they did. They began to train the other pilots, and the Tuskegee Airmen’s numbers grew to the 1000s.

Flight instructors do not always receive credit, but I am very proud of my daddy for training the Tuskegee Airmen because during 1939 that was a very brave and courageous thing for him to do,” said Chase.

In Robert Jakeman’s “Undivided Sky” Allen says, “But the basic thing that I did, if I did anything up there, was to be sure they got a good start and then they could go from there. I did the best that I could, and I hope I did a good job.”

According to the “Red Tails” website, when the war ended, the Tuskegee Airmen returned home with 150 Distinguished Flying Crosses, Legions of Merit and the Red Star of Yugoslavia. It is safe to assume the modest flight instructor succeeded in giving these men a good start.