Lt. Col. Harry S. Stewart Jr., one of many final two surviving pilots of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen, handed away on February 2, reported the Related Press. He was 100 years outdated.
The Tuskegee Airmen Nationwide Historic Museum in Detroit confirmed Stewart’s dying on February 3.
“Harry Stewart was a form man of profound character and accomplishment with a distinguished profession of service he continued lengthy after preventing for our nation in World Battle II,” stated Brian Smith, president and CEO of the Tuskegee Airmen Nationwide Historic Museum. “We’re deeply saddened by his passing and lengthen our condolences to his household and buddies all over the world.”
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Born July 4, 1924, in Newport Information, Virginia, Stewart relocated to New York Metropolis as a toddler.
In June 1944, he joined the Military Air Corps and acquired his wings in June 1944. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant and discovered to fly P-40 and P-47 fighter plane at Walterboro Military Airfield in South Carolina. He then served with the 301 Fighter Squadron within the 332nd Fighter Group as a member of the Purple Tails. They earned the nickname due to the crimson suggestions of their P-51 Mustangs. The trailblazing group made historical past as the primary Black army pilots.
In his army profession, Stewart earned the Distinguished Flying Cross for downing three German plane throughout a dogfight on April 1, 1945. He additionally gained the U.S. Air Pressure Prime Gun flying competitors in 1949 with 4 Tuskegee Airmen. Their important accomplishment was not acknowledged till 2022.
Throughout an interview with CNN about his expertise in World Battle II, Stewart shared, “I didn’t acknowledge on the time the gravity of what we face. I simply felt as if it was an obligation of mine on the time. I simply stood as much as my obligation,” Stewart recalled.
Following his time within the army, Stewart dreamed of being a industrial airline pilot, however on account of racism, he by no means obtained the chance. Finally, he graduated from New York College with a level in mechanical engineering, moved to Detroit and retired as vice chairman of a pure gasoline pipeline firm.
Talking with Michigan Public Radio in 2019, Steward stated he “was moved to tears” when he noticed Black pilots on a industrial flight.
“Once I entered the airplane, I appeared into the cockpit, and there have been two African American pilots,” Stewart stated. “One was the co-pilot, and one was the pilot. However not solely that, the factor that began bringing the tears to my eyes is that they had been each feminine.”
Whereas Stewart shied away from taking credit score for his being a history-maker, he acquired many honors in his lifetime, together with the Congressional Gold Medal in 2007.
In July, the U.S. Division of Veterans Affairs held a celebration to commemorate his one hundredth birthday.
We at EBONY lengthen our prayers and deepest condolences to the household and buddies of Lt. Col. Harry S. Stewart Jr.
Learn in regards to the lives and contributions of fellow Tuskegee airmen Basic Charles McGee, Willie Rogers and Wilfred DeFour.
