To honor the men and women who flew and trained at Luke Field, Arizona, during World War II.

Segregation

Segregation meant separate everything for African Americans. That meant separate barber shops, eating areas, and exchanges. Pictured here are some of the segregated people and facilities on Third Street on Luke Field. Many thanks to the family of Capt. James R. Burnie of the 343rd Aviation Squadron for the last three photos on this page.

While the white’s new barber shop had fourteen chairs, the segregated one only had two chairs. Some of that situation was due to the makeup of Luke Field’s military population. There were simply many more whites than African Americans.

Being a military installation, haircuts were a required part of being a serviceman. Here is the new Barber Shop The segregated soda fountain offered sodas, milk shakes, malts, several sandwiches and the ever-present coffee. In the center of the room are the stand-up tables. On the far right as a few booths. On the back wall is a water fountain on the left and a cigarette machine on the right.

This photo shows the other end of the soda fountain with people in the space. Thirteen African American servicemen of the 343rd Aviation Squadron are having something to drink or just socializing. Partially hidden in the back on the left is the word Aviation. The unidentified white man behind the counter was probably a civilian who worked for the Exchange. This photo is thanks to the family of Capt. James R. Burnie.

Here some of the men of the 343rd Aviation Squadron are looking at items to buy in the Third Street segregated Exchange. The segregated Exchange carried many of the same items as the large white exchange. This section held clothing, notions, drugs, and stationary. Capt. James R. Burnie of the 343rd Aviation Squadron is standing at the far right, behind the display. The same unidentified white man behind the counter was probably a civilian who worked for the Exchange. This photo is thanks to the family of Capt. James R. Burnie.

Capt. James R. Burnie of the 343rd Aviation Squadron stands with some of his men in front of their squadron building. His lieutenant is on the far right. Many of these men had important skills that helped the war effort with their expertise at repairing and maintaining aircraft and field operations. The building number is T-257. The T stood for Temporary. The Army did not expect they would last much longer than the war. Four of those temporary buildings are still in use today. The officer’s door behind Capt. Burnie was simply part of the military structure at that time. This photo is thanks to the family of Capt. James R. Burnie.