The Tuskegee Airmen were the first African-American pilots whose performance during World War II helped lead to President Harry S. Truman signing Executive Order 9981, ending segregation and racial discrimination within the Armed Forces on July 26, 1948. Dr. Daniel L. Haulman, U.S. Air Force Historical Research Agency branch chief, believes the end of segregation in the military was a direct result of the great “experiment” that proved African Americans could train, fight and fly as well as their white counterparts. (U.S. Air Force courtesy graphic by Corey Parrish/Released)