Retired Lieutenant Colonel Harry Stewart Jr., a decorated World War II hero, passed away peacefully at his home in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. Stewart, who died at the age of 100, was one of the remaining members of the illustrious Tuskegee Airmen, the pioneering group of Black military pilots who shattered racial barriers and contributed significantly to the Allied war effort during World War II.
The Tuskegee Airmen, also known as the 332nd Fighter Group, were America's first Black military aviators. The Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum recently confirmed Stewart's passing, recognizing his exceptional service and the barriers he broke along with his peers.
Born on July 4, 1924, in Virginia, Stewart's childhood dream of flying took root during visits to the LaGuardia airport in New York. Despite the pervasive racial segregation of the era, Stewart joined the experimental program for training Black military pilots following the attack on Pearl Harbor. The group trained in Tuskegee, Alabama, earning the nickname Red Tails for the distinctive red markings on their P-51 Mustang aircraft.
Stewart's combat prowess was well-noted; he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for bravely downing three German aircraft in a single dogfight on April 1, 1945. He was also part of a quartet of Tuskegee Airmen who triumphed in the 1949 U.S. Air Force Top Gun flying competition, a victory recognized only much later.
His post-war life reflected his dedication to his country and his community. After the military, Stewart aimed for a career in commercial aviation but was rejected due to racial discrimination. Undeterred, he pursued a degree in mechanical engineering from New York University and later rose to the position of vice president at a natural gas pipeline company in Detroit.
In a 2019 interview with Michigan Public Radio, Stewart emotionally recounted a personal moment aboard a commercial flight. Upon entering the plane, he spotted two African American women in the cockpit, both the pilot and the co-pilot. This sight brought him to tears, a testament to the progress and change he strove for throughout his life.
The Air Force recently faced controversy when it briefly removed training materials featuring the Tuskegee Airmen as part of a policy overhaul. However, following bipartisan criticism, the materials were reinstated, highlighting the enduring legacy and inspiration these aviators provide.
Brian Smith, President and CEO of the Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum, honored Stewart’s legacy, remarking on his profound character and service. Stewart’s life story, as captured in the book “Soaring to Glory: A Tuskegee Airman’s Firsthand Account of World War II,” offers a deeper insight into his incredible journey and the historical record of the Tuskegee Airmen's contribution to the war and civil rights.
Stewart’s passing is a solemn reminder of the outstanding contributions of the Tuskegee Airmen and their role in shaping the fabric of American military history. His life and career remain a beacon of perseverance, skill, and bravery.