Harry Stewart, one of the last surviving members of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen, passed away at the age of 100 in his home. The Tuskegee Airmen were the first all-African American fighter pilot squadron, serving as part of the 332 Fighter Group and the 477 Bombardment Group of the United States Army Air Force (USAAF).
Born in July 1924 in Virginia, Stewart moved to New York at a young age. His fascination with aviation began in childhood, often watching planes take off and land at LaGuardia Airport with his family.
Growing up in the Jim Crow South, Stewart faced systemic prejudice and segregation. Reflecting on his experience during World War II, he once stated in a CNN interview, “I did not recognize the gravity of what we were facing then. I just felt as though it was a duty of mine at the time. I just stood up to my duty.”
In mid-1943, the Army Air Forces (AAF) organized the 477th Bombardment Group, known as the “Black Bomber Unit.” The unit was activated on June 1, 1943, with training set to take place at Tuskegee. However, the program was overwhelmed by the rigorous training demands, making it difficult to accommodate new recruits.
“Since Tuskegee was not able to provide North American B-25 medium bomber pilot transition or training for bombardiers and navigators, eventually, the AAF made an exception to its segregation policy and sent Black officers to what had been all-white training establishments for their advanced instruction,” according to the Air Force Historical Support Division. Despite their contributions, the Tuskegee Airmen continued to face discrimination, often receiving less respect than their white counterparts. This prejudice ultimately delayed their full operational status until after the war.
Stewart enlisted in the Army Air Corps at age 18 to qualify as a pilot. “He completed 43 combat missions and earned three aerial victories in a single day,” said his nephew, Robert Brown, in a CBS News article. Brown also shared that Stewart remained dedicated to honoring his fellow airmen, frequently visiting the Tuskegee National Museum. “My uncle was at the museum just two weeks ago, speaking with aspiring aviation students at City Airport, where historic aircraft are stored,” Brown noted.
After completing their training, the Tuskegee Airmen were assigned to escort U.S. bombers in Europe. They earned a distinguished reputation for their effectiveness, losing fewer escorted bombers than any other fighter group.
Despite his remarkable service, Stewart was denied the opportunity to become a commercial airline pilot due to racial discrimination. Instead, he pursued higher education, earning a mechanical engineering degree from New York University. He later became vice president of ANR, a natural gas pipeline company.
Stewart is survived by his daughter, Lori, and his legacy lives on through his memoir, “Soaring to Glory: A Tuskegee Airman’s Firsthand Account of WWII.”