A distinguished fighter pilot who shattered racial barriers in American military aviation has concluded his remarkable journey.
According to the New York Post, Retired Lt. Col. Harry Stewart Jr., one of the last surviving combat pilots of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen, passed away peacefully at his home in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, on Sunday at the age of 100.
Stewart's military career was marked by exceptional achievements, including earning the Distinguished Flying Cross for downing three German aircraft during a single dogfight on April 1, 1945. He was also part of a groundbreaking team of four Tuskegee Airmen who claimed victory in the 1949 U.S. Air Force Top Gun flying competition, though their accomplishment remained unrecognized for several decades.
Early life and military service shape pioneering aviator
Born on July 4, 1924, in Virginia, Stewart's fascination with aviation began during his childhood in New York, where he would spend hours watching planes at LaGuardia airport. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the 18-year-old Stewart joined what was then considered an experimental program to train Black military pilots.
The segregation and prejudice prevalent in the Jim Crow-era South came as a shock to Stewart, who had grown up in a multicultural neighborhood. Despite these challenges, his determination to earn his wings never wavered. After completing his training, Stewart and his fellow pilots were assigned to escort U.S. bombers in Europe as part of the 332nd Fighter Group.
Brian Smith, president and CEO of the Tuskegee Airmen National Historical Museum, reflected on Stewart's character, stating:
Harry Stewart was a kind man of profound character and accomplishment with a distinguished career of service he continued long after fighting for our country in World War II.
Post-war challenges and achievements beyond military service
Despite his distinguished military service, Stewart faced racial discrimination when attempting to become a commercial airline pilot after leaving the military. Undeterred, he pursued a mechanical engineering degree from New York University and eventually retired as vice president of a natural gas pipeline company in Detroit.
In a 2024 interview with CNN, Stewart shared his perspective on his wartime service:
I did not recognize at the time the gravity of what we are facing. I just felt as though it was a duty of mine at the time. I just stood up to my duty.
Stewart's impact on aviation continued well into his later years. During a 2019 interview with Michigan Public Radio, he described being moved to tears upon seeing two African American female pilots in the cockpit of a commercial flight, highlighting the progress made since his time in service.
Decorated veteran's influence endures beyond final flight
Stewart's passing comes at a time when the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen remains relevant in contemporary discussions about diversity in military service. Recent controversy erupted when the Air Force briefly removed training courses featuring videos of the Tuskegee Airmen and Women Airforce Service Pilots, though these materials were quickly restored following bipartisan opposition.
The Tuskegee Airmen nicknamed the Red Tails for the distinctive markings on their P-51 Mustangs, earned recognition for losing significantly fewer escorted bombers than other fighter groups during World War II. Their success helped challenge racial prejudices and paved the way for the integration of the U.S. military.
Stewart's life exemplified both the challenges and triumphs of the Tuskegee Airmen. His experiences, from facing racial barriers to achieving military honors and subsequent professional success, contributed significantly to advancing civil rights and aviation history in America.
Breaking barriers through determination and excellence
Lt. Col. Harry Stewart Jr., a decorated Tuskegee Airman who passed away at 100, distinguished himself through combat heroism during World War II and continued advocacy for equality in aviation.
His death at his Michigan home marks the loss of one of the last surviving combat pilots from the groundbreaking 332nd Fighter Group. Stewart's legacy lives on through his contributions to military aviation, his post-war achievements in the corporate world, and his role in advancing opportunities for African Americans in aviation.
