Author Talk: Marco Altobello

• Author Talk:

Please join AICC as we welcome Marco Altobello in our Author Talk. Marco will discuss his book, "Red Tails Da Tuskegee a Ramitelli." Light hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be available. Please ensure to purchase your tickets in advance to secure your seat.

• About the Book:

Ramitelli, a hamlet of Campomarino (CB), March 1945 — the 332nd Fighter Group was the first unit in the U.S. Army Air Forces composed entirely of African American pilots. These men were the protagonists of a story of redemption and resilience that forever changed American aviation and paved the way for the Civil Rights Movement in the United States.
The story of the Tuskegee Airmen helped break down prejudice and discrimination, leading to the desegregation of the military and, later, of American society as a whole.
Part of this history unfolded in Italy, where the pilots of the 332nd Fighter Group were deployed during World War II on bombing, reconnaissance, and aerial patrol missions. They were later assigned to escort strategic bombers in missions flown by the Fifteenth Air Force, departing from the segregated airbase at Ramitelli. There, they became known as the Red Tails, after the distinctive red-painted tails of their P-51 Mustang fighters.
On March 29, 2007, the approximately 300 surviving Tuskegee Airmen of Ramitelli were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest civilian honor bestowed by the United States Congress, presented by President George W. Bush.
This book tells their story — previously unpublished in Italy — recounting their missions and their struggle through extensive research, international contributions, and the direct testimonies of the pilots and of the people who still live in the areas where the Allied airbases were once established.

Please note this book is written in Italian, but the presentation will be done in English.