Former Tuskegee Airmen pilot George Hardy died at age 100, leaving 13 remaining veterans of the all-black World War II fighter unit, the Tuskegee Airmen national office announced on Friday. Image courtesy of UPI
Tuskegee Airmen veteran Lt. Col. George Hardy died at age 100 earlier this week, the Tuskegee Airmen Inc. national office announced Friday on social media.
Hardy flew 21 combat missions during World War II while flying a P-51 Mustang fighter in the European Theater as a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen fighter unit.
“His legacy is one of courage, resilience, tremendous skill and dogged perseverance against racism, prejudice and other evils,” the Tuskegee Airmen national office said in social media post.
“We are forever grateful for his sacrifice and will hold dear to his memory.”
The historic fighter unit known as the “Red Tails” for the color of their fighters’ tails was comprised black pilots, and Hardy at age 19 was the unit’s youngest to fly in combat.
He joined the 99th Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group in early 1945. His death leaves 13 living Tuskegee Airmen veterans.
The National WWII Museum bestowed its American Spirit Award on Hardy in 2024.
Hardy was born in 1925 in Philadelphia and served in the Korean and Vietnam wars before retiring from military service.
His cause of death was not announced.
