Pittsburgh pays tribute to Tuskegee Airmen

PITTSBURGH — The city of Pittsburgh paid tribute to the Tuskegee Airmen and presented quilts of valor to the families and descendants on Tuesday.

They were boys when they were enlisted – boys who became men, including the late Lt. Carl Woods, who grew up in Mars.

His nephew, Joseph Woods, said Carl Woods was just 19 years old when he died serving his country.

African Americans weren't allowed to fly in the military until 1942 with the Tuskegee Airmen.  They fought bravely against the Nazis in World War II in Europe and waged the battle for civil rights when they returned home.

The largest group of the Tuskegee Airmen came from western Pennsylvania, including the Hill District and Sewickley.

Kim Slater Woods knew her father Harold Slater served in the war. He's now 90 years old and has only recently talked about his service

"There's the thread of humility that is continuous throughout the veterans.  They don't talk about it, for whatever reason, they don't talk about it," said Kim Slater Woods.

WPXI