Honoring Courage in the Skies: Clarence Dart & the Tuskegee Airmen — A Special Veterans Day Program
November 9, 2023 – Saratoga Springs History Museum
On November 9, 2023, the Saratoga Springs History Museum welcomed educator and Saratoga native Warren Dart for an extraordinary evening devoted to the history and heroism of the Tuskegee Airmen—the first African American military aviators in the U.S. Armed Forces—and to the remarkable life of his father, Lt. Col. Clarence W. Dart, one of their own.
With over 38 years as an educator and the son of a decorated WWII fighter pilot, Warren Dart guided the audience through a sweeping yet personal journey: from the long arc of African American military service, through the racial barriers of the early 20th century, to the battlefield courage of the Tuskegee Airmen and the enduring legacy of one of Saratoga’s greatest veterans.
A History America Tried to Deny
Warren began with an important framing:
“This is a history lesson—not critical race theory.”
He walked the audience through the origins of African American military participation, beginning in 1619, moving through the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, and the rise of Jim Crow, emphasizing how Black Americans repeatedly fought for a country that, for centuries, denied them equal rights or recognition.
From the Buffalo Soldiers to Henry Johnson, from early Black aviators like Bessie Coleman to the discriminatory 1925 Army War College report declaring Black men “unfit” for aviation, Warren illustrated the extraordinary barriers that made the Tuskegee Experiment both revolutionary and improbable.
The Tuskegee Airmen Take Flight
As WWII loomed, political pressure from civil rights leaders—including A. Philip Randolph and Walter White of the NAACP—forced the Roosevelt administration to act.
The result was the formation of the Tuskegee Airmen, trained at Moton Field near the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama. Led by Col. Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., the Airmen would become one of the most effective fighter groups of the war.
Warren shared stories of their early struggles, from substandard facilities to outright sabotage, and the racism they endured both on and off base. Yet they achieved excellence:
The famed Red Tails became the most requested escort group in the 15th Air Force.
Their discipline was unmatched—Col. Davis famously ordered his men never to abandon their bombers in pursuit of enemy planes, ensuring safer missions for thousands of Allied airmen.
They fought two battles at once: Hitler abroad, and Jim Crow at home.
Lt. Col. Clarence W. Dart: A Saratoga Hero
At the heart of the evening was the story of Lt. Col. Clarence Dart, one of the Tuskegee Airmen’s distinguished fighter pilots—and Warren’s father.
Born in Elmira, NY in 1920, Clarence Dart grew up fascinated with aviation. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps and was eventually sent to Tuskegee to train.
His Aircraft and Missions
Clarence flew multiple aircraft during WWII, including:
PT-17 Stearman (primary trainer)
BT-13 Valiant (basic trainer)
AT-6 Texan (advanced trainer)
P-40 Warhawk
P-51C Mustang — his preferred fighter
He flew 95 combat missions—nearly double the standard deployment—performing bomber escort, strafing runs, and long-range missions including the historic Berlin raid of March 24, 1945.
Shot Down Twice
Clarence was shot down two times:
April 1944 during a strafing run
May 24, 1944 near Anzio, Italy, where he crash-landed and narrowly escaped before his plane exploded
His courage in the cockpit earned him:
Distinguished Flying Cross
Two Purple Hearts
Air Medal
Bronze Star
Numerous campaign and service medals
After the war, he served as an instructor, worked in engineering at General Electric, and became a pillar of the Saratoga Springs community.
A Legacy That Continues to Inspire
Warren closed his presentation by reflecting on why the Tuskegee Airmen fought for a nation that did not yet embrace them as equals. His answer came from America’s founding ideals:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…”
The Airmen believed that their service was part of the effort to make those words true—not just in principle, but in practice.
Warren also highlighted the continuing impact of their legacy, noting leaders like:
General Charles Q. Brown, Jr., Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
General Richard Clark, Superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy
Both have publicly stated that they stand on the shoulders of the Tuskegee Airmen.
A Night of Honor and Reflection
The museum was deeply honored to host Warren Dart and to share the story of Lt. Col. Clarence Dart—a story of bravery, perseverance, and patriotism.
Visitors left with a renewed appreciation for:
The sacrifices of the Tuskegee Airmen
The struggle for equality within the U.S. military
The extraordinary contributions of Clarence Dart, both in combat and in his lifelong commitment to community
The Saratoga Springs History Museum is proud to help preserve and share this vital chapter of American and local history.