Is It Always True that “Results Count?”

During World War II, heavy bombers needed escort planes to keep the bombers safe. Sometimes the flights were very long before the bombers could reach the target area.

Often, during bomb-run missions, escort pilots would “peel away” to engage the enemy. If an escort pilot could destroy the enemy plane, it would increase their personal numbers, improving their personal status as a pilot.

When the Tuskegee Airmen were given escort responsibilities, they painted the tails of their planes red. Bomber crews noticed that the red-tailed escorts stayed with the bombers instead of peeling-away, leaving the bombers vulnerable. Bomb crews began to refer to their escorts as “Red-Tailed Angels.”

Escorting bombers, during World War II, was a very significant job.  Do you think the assignment of this responsibility to the Tuskegee Airmen was an honor?  Why, or why not?

Why do you think the Red Tails stayed in position, as bomber escorts, instead of leaving their position to engage with enemy planes?