George Hardy, one of the last of the Tuskegee Airmen, dies at 100

Lt. Col. George Hardy, one of the last orginial Tuskegee Airmen combat pilots, passed away Thursday.

He was 100.

Remembering youngest Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. George Hardy

Hardy was the youngest Red Tail fighter pilot to fly a combat mission over Europe, according to Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. National Office.

At just 19, he flew his first sortie in a P-51 Mustang during World War II. He completed 21 missions.

Hardy was the last living Tuskegee Airman to see combat. Thirteen others trained at Tuskegee but never deployed.

“His legacy is one of courage, resilience, tremendous skill and dogged perseverance against racism, prejudice and other evils. We are forever grateful for his sacrifice and will hold dear to his memory,” the organization wrote in a post announcing Hardy’s death. “Our condolences to his family, friends, the remaining 13 Documented Original Tuskegee Airmen, and all who loved him.”

His legacy as a pioneering pilot

His military journey began after the attack on Pearl Harbor, six months before he graduated high school.

Initially, Hardy hadn’t considered a military career. But the war and racism changed everything.

“A lot of people don’t realize how segregated the service was then,” Hardy said in an interview with WUSA9.

He referenced the Army War College’s 1925 report, which falsely claimed Black Americans lacked the capacity to fly.

“They thought we couldn’t concentrate or handle danger,” Hardy said. “We disproved that theory. We did a hell of a good job.”

Throughout his 90s, Hardy remained active. He volunteered at food pantries and spoke nationwide about Tuskegee’s legacy.

Hardy urged Americans to learn about the Tuskegee Airmen. “Too many people still don’t know,” he said.

“Servicemen gave their all,” Hardy added. “Many didn’t come back. We should pay tribute to them.”

Tuskegee Airmen: Breaking Barriers in World War II

During World War II, the U.S. military remained racially segregated. To challenge racial bias, leaders launched the Tuskegee Experiment, a groundbreaking initiative to determine if Black Americans could successfully pilot and maintain combat aircraft.

Nearly 1,000 Black aviators completed rigorous flight training and earned military commissions. Over 300 Tuskegee Airmen deployed overseas, flying missions with skill and courage. Thousands more including women served in critical support roles. These trailblazers helped prove that Black service members could excel in complex military operations.

Their success paved the way for desegregation in the armed forces. The Tuskegee Airmen earned national respect and military honors.

Today, only 13 Documented Original Tuskegee Airmen are still alive. Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., founded in 1975, works to preserve their legacy and educate future generations.