Renowned Tuskegee airman and decorated World War II fighter pilot Harry Stewart Jr. has died at the age of 100.
Military.com found that Harry Stewart Jr., a storied World War II veteran and Tuskegee airman, passed away on February 2, 2025, after a lifetime of service and achievement.
Born on July 4, 1924, in Newport News, Virginia, Stewart was drawn to the skies from a young age, relocating to New York City when he was just two years old.
His early fascination with aviation began as he watched planes at North Beach Army Airfield, the site now known as LaGuardia Airport.
Despite facing initial rejection due to racial barriers in the military, Stewart's resolve did not waver. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, he successfully passed the exam for pilot training and began his journey at the segregated Tuskegee Army Airfield in Alabama.
June 1944 marked a significant milestone as Stewart graduated from pilot training. He went on to receive additional combat training at Walterboro Field in South Carolina, preparing him for the challenges ahead.
Stewart's combat experience during World War II was profound. As a member of the 332nd Fighter Group, he flew 43 combat missions.
His most notable achievement came on Easter Sunday 1945 when he secured three air-to-air victories in a single mission, a feat that contributed to his receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross.
The triumphs of Stewart's 1945 mission were overshadowed by the loss of his wingman, Walter Manning, who was captured and tragically lynched by enemy civilians. This event highlighted the severe challenges and dangers faced by African American pilots during the war.
Post-war, Stewart continued to excel. In 1949, he joined and won the first U.S. Air Force "Top Gun" style aerial gunnery competition, impressively flying obsolete aircraft against more modern machines.
Stewart left active duty in 1950 and later retired as a lieutenant colonel from the Air Force Reserve, transitioning to a successful civilian life despite facing racial discrimination in commercial aviation.
Embracing his passion for education, Stewart studied engineering at New York University. He subsequently embarked on a career with ANR Pipeline Company, where he eventually retired as vice president in 1976.
Stewart's contributions to history and aviation were immortalized in his memoir, "Soaring to Glory: A Tuskegee Airman's Firsthand Account of World War II," published in 2019.
Reflecting on the obstacles he faced in becoming a pilot, Stewart once said, "I was willing to accept that to get my wings. I was willing to do anything to get my wings." His perseverance and determination left a lasting impact on those around him.
"The first couple of missions that I had, I had no idea of what was going on except that I was keeping close to my leader at the time there," Stewart told Northeast Public Radio in 2020, describing his initial combat experiences as joining a "ballet in the sky."
Stewart also expressed hope that his efforts to introduce aviation to children would spark a continuing interest. "Hoping that maybe someday, one or two of them might decide that they would take in piloting as a vocation, which they did," he recounted in 2020.
Harry Stewart Jr.’s legacy as a pioneering aviator and a symbol of resilience and dedication will endure, inspiring future generations long after his passing in his Bloomfield Hills, Michigan home.