In 1977, a group of Original Tuskegee Airmen from the Greater Kansas City area submitted a request to the state of Missouri for formal incorporation as a legally constituted club/chapter entity.  On June 13, 1977, they received a Certificate of Incorporation for their club from the state of Missouri.

In April of 1978, the group formally submitted a request for charter to the National Organization, Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., which was granted.  The group of Tuskegee Airemen involved in creating the HOA-TAI Chapter were: (1) John W. Davis, (2) Charles A. Moore, Jr., (3) Eugene K. Peterson, (4) Bruce R. Watkins.  Other original Tuskegee Airmen joining the organization were:  (1) Colonel Charles McGee, (2) Major Richard Pullam, (3) Herman Johnson, (4) Lt/Col Henry (Herkie) Perry, (5) August Carple, (6) Victor M. Barker.

On September 4, 1980, the chapter received a state tax exemption from sales tax as a charitable organization.

Meetings were held monthly in the homes of various members until they were granted access to the Downtown Airport in K.C.  They also held a few meetings at the National Guard Armory on Ozark Rd. in K.C.

Presently, HOAC has 50 members, some of whom reside out of town.

Purpose of the Chapter

The Heart of America Chapter patterns its goals and objectives after the national objectives including helping to erase the anonymity of the exploits of the Tuskegee Airmen that existed thirty years until 1972; motivating and inspiring young Americans to become participants in our nation's society and its democratic process.  The Chapter attempts to motivate young Americans to adopt careers in aviation or aviation-related fields by offering and participating in the TAI National Scholarship program. .