First African-American Pilot - Eugene Bullard

Eugene Jacques Bullard was the first black American to serve as a combat pilot. He was unable to fly for America, however, since the U.S. federal government had a policy preventing African-Americans from serving as combat pilots. Only whites were permitted to have those jobs for the U.S. military.

Instead, Bullard flew Allied combat missions for France. He was the only black pilot - including all combatant nations - during World War I.

In this photo, we see Bullard with his plane (and with one of the mascots of the Lafayette Flying Corps).

Click on the image for a better view.