Harry Stewart
Harry Stewart
Lieutenant Colonel Harry T. Stewart Jr. served with distinction as a fighter pilot with the famed Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. Born on July 4, 1924, in Newport News, Virginia, Stewart joined the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943 and flew 43 combat missions in the P-51 Mustang with the 332nd Fighter Group. On one mission, Stewart downed three German aircraft in a single day, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. Despite facing racial discrimination, Stewart and his comrades never lost a bomber to enemy fighters. Post-war, he served as an instructor, test pilot, and was recalled for duty during the Korean War. After retiring as a lieutenant colonel, Stewart became an advocate for the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen, receiving the Congressional Gold Medal in 2007. Stewart’s perseverance, courage, and commitment to equality continue to inspire future generations of aviators and leaders.