Forgotten Souls: The Search for the Lost Tuskegee Airmen

by Cheryl W. Thompson

NPR investigative journalist and the daughter of a Tuskegee Airman, Cheryl W. Thompson explores the stories of the 27 Tuskegee Airmen – the Black pilots who fought for America in WWII – who went missing in combat, the lives they lived, the reasons they were shot down, why the remains of all but one were never found, and the impact their disappearances had on their families and communities.

In 1945, World War II ended in one of the deadliest conflicts in history. Geared for battle were nearly 1,000 trailblazing Black pilots trained at the Tuskegee Army Air Field, an unrepentantly segregated facility in Alabama. Hailing from the Iowa cornfields to the Texas Gulf Coast to the tobacco plantations of North Carolina, the Tuskegee Airmen already proved, under the toughest circumstances, to be among the most resilient and defiantly patriotic men of the Army Air Corps.

27 of them disappeared during the final critical mission in Europe. So, too, would the government’s efforts to find them, acknowledge them, or help to bring closure to the loved ones that the valiant 332nd Fighter Group left behind.

In Forgotten Souls, award-winning journalist Cheryl W. Thompson delves into the true stories of the Black combat pilots who faced unimaginable racism—before, during, and after the war—from a military that told them they were less than, even as their courage and aviation prowess saved scores of white brothers in arms from the enemy.

As cruel as war itself could be, the friends, family, communities, and fellow Tuskegee Airmen who mourned the lost pilots never imagined how unforgivable it could get. After 80 years, Forgotten Souls honors the impact they made, and the sacrifices they endured on America’s behalf.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, American History, World War II

240 pages, Hardcover

Published January 27, 2026

Reviews

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many young men, lost and forgotten by all but their families and close friends. The Tuskegee Airmen, Black pilots of WWII, were a little recognized group of brave soldiers who joined the segregated service to serve as pilots in WWII. They faced racism, segregation, discrimination, and disrespect. However, they became a close group of soldiers and when one was lost, the others mourned him. Their families mourned them and never forgot. Unfortunately, they often received little or no help from the government to attempt to recover or identify their remains. Some families were able to piece together what had happened to their loved one, others only ever knew basic guesses of what must have happened. This is their story - heartbreaking and emotional, but it filled me with a huge sense of respect for this group of fallen soldiers. It is a story well worth reading.

[Bargain Sleuth Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing/Dafina for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This. Book. Forgotten Souls is the type of history I love to read about. Bringing stories of the Black experience to the forefront where it belongs. I knew of the Tuskegee airman from my readings after I left school, but nothing in detail. National Public Radio’s Cheryl W. Thompson’s father was from the famed air group. She presents a richly researched narrative that combines personal testimony and a meticulously documented account of the 27 missing Black airmen.

Forgotten Souls focuses on the wartime bravery the Tuskegee airmen exhibited and the systemic racism they faced every. single. day. The missing men left a lingering emotional toll on their families. There is a depth and nuance to the emotional weight of that unresolved loss. This thoughtful and historically grounded book hit that social justice storytelling spot that I do love to explore.

Thompson explores the racist belief that Black men could not learn to fly because they weren’t smart enough. They were segregated by the Army Air Corps into their own unit. That they were sent to a base in Alabama during the Jim Crow era is a special kind of cruelty. However, the men learned that the safest place in the state was on the air base. Of the 900 men who trained at Tuskegee, 27 didn’t return after flying their missions. What happened to these Black men remains a mystery, in part because the white men in charge didn’t want to waste resources to find Black bodies.

Released just in time for Black History Month, this extensively researched book is the perfect book to pick up and explore another side of WWII history that wasn’t taught in school.

[Sabrina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad I had the opportunity to read Cheryl W. Thompson's book chronicling the stories of the African American pilots who disappeared during World War II while defending our country. These pilots were part of an elite, trailblazing group called the Tuskegee Airmen, who faced considerable racial discrimination at the hands of the United States government and army. The author, herself the daughter of a Tuskegee Airman, goes into detail about the lives of each pilot who disappeared during the war, as well as the lasting impact their disappearances had on the families and friends these pilots left behind. It was so disheartening to read about the egregious lack of concern and care the United States Army and government displayed once these pilots went missing, often waiting years to start a search for these missing pilots, if they searched for them at all.

Prior to reading this book, I knew next to nothing about the Tuskegee Airmen and the crucial role these pilots played during the war, as this is not often discussed. I am so glad I got the chance to learn more about the Tuskegee Airmen as well as learning more about each pilot who sacrificed their life for this country while fighting in one of the most brutal wars. This book by Cheryl W. Thompson was a great tribute to these men who made the ultimate sacrifice for a country that often showed them just how little it cared for them and treated them as second class citizens. I will never forget the stories of these brave and selfless men.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book so appropriate to debut a few days before Black History Month is what Investigative Journalist Cheryl W. Thompson has created. The cover defines the story that lies beyond the illustration of a black airman yet in the clouds withcomprised the faces of men who did not return to their air base after an assignment. This is the story of the Tuskegee Airmen from World War II because higher professional Army Air Corps felt that black men could not learn to fly, follow directions yet make split second decisions to fight for their lives and equipment during flights. They had to be segregated from the regular Army Air Corps. Cheryl describes many of the airmen who were selected to become members and came from all over the U.S. to Alabama and learned quickly that the base was the only safe place to be in that area. 900:Tuskegee airmen were trained and 27 didn’t return to their airfield after a mission and what happened to them remains a mystery.. The story is a follow up of these 27 men with extensive research from family member, friends and community remembrances as well as pure academic research. The response of those left behind will resound with you long after you finish reading this book. Perfect for historians, WWII followers, schools. Thanks to the author, NetGalley, and Kensington Publishing for an e-digital ARC of this book; this is my honest review.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgotten Souls: The Search for the Lost Tuskegee Airmen. Cheryl W. Thompson. Dafina/Kensington Books, to be published January 27, 2026. 240 pages. Thanks to Kensington Books for the free advance readers copy for review.

It's taken far too long for the Tuskegee Airmen to get their just due for their service as the nation's first black military pilots and for their legendary record of achievements in World War II, but, at least in the past few decades, the veterans and their stories have been recognized. Unfortunately, not all survived long enough to see it. In fact, 27 of the over 1,000 Airmen were lost during the war, and their service and sacrifice was forgotten to all but their family. Cheryl W. Thompson, an investigative journalist and the daughter of a Tuskegee Airman herself, set out to uncover and tell the stories of those missing men. The result is a really great history of the unit and the men who comprised it, and now, after 80 years, those 27 missing men are getting at least some of the respect they deserve.

[Aimee Nerdy Auntie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This powerful work centers on the search for the lost Tuskegee Airmen—brave Black pilots who served their country with honor, only to be overlooked, forgotten, or erased from mainstream history. These men were true American heroes. This book doesn’t just recount facts—it brings their stories to life through the voices of their families. Hearing loved ones speak on their sacrifices, losses, and legacy is both heartbreaking and deeply meaningful.

If you’re unfamiliar with this chapter of American history, this book will open your eyes. If you already know a little, it will deepen your understanding in a very real way. The family stories are priceless and will stay with me long after I finished reading. I highly recommend Forgotten Souls for both educational and emotional purposes. This is a must-read for anyone who believes history should tell the whole story.

Thank you Goodreads for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgotten Souls: The Search for the Lost Tuskegee Airmen is an emotionally charged, well-written story about the 27 Tuskegee Airmen who were lost during WWII. This is their story; men who made history as the first Black pilots in a new program which offered the young men an opportunity to train and fight for their country. They went through unspeakable racism, segregation, and disrespect but they became pilots and served with dignity and pride. I was happy to read that two of the men have been identified overseas and brought home, albeit 75-80 years after they died. I hope the remaining 25 will find their way home eventually. In the meantime, this book brings their stories to life, keeping their memories alive. This is a story that needed to be told and I recommend it for everyone. I, for one, will never forget these heroes.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This country has done so much wrong to the Tuskegee Airman but the most shameful, is the lack of followup to those who were killed in the line of duty. So the families are left wondering, with no answers or closure. Given the time, so many of loved ones of these airmen, have passed on and many stories were not or could not be passed down. Cheryl Thompson's meticulously researched Forgotten Souls remedies what the US Government has not. She tells the stories and lives of the men who were lost and forgotten and she does so, through the lens of living survivors, loved ones and documents. She shines a light on those who have been erased and whose bodies were mostly never found. This book ensures that these American heroes will never be forgotten.

I received an arc from the publisher but all opinions are my own.

[Annazetta Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

*The Tuskegee Airmen*

The Forgotten Souls, written by Cheryl W. Thompson , is a compelling, well written novel that brings to life the greatest groups in American military history. This book talks about the lives of the black pilots who defied racism and segregation to become some of the most respected aviators of World War II.

Through vivid storytelling, the book highlights the airmen's incredible achievements, including their impressive combat record in North Africa and Europe. The narrative is punctuated with personal accounts from some of the original Tuskegee Airmen, offering a poignant and humbling perspective on their experiences.

Overall, The Tuskegee Airmen is an informative book that brings to life the enormous contribution made by these men in black history.