George Hardy (Tuskegee Airman) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lieutenant Colonel
George Hardy
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| Birth name | George Edward Hardy |
| Born | June 8, 1925 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army Air Force |
| Years of service | 1943–1971 |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | 332nd Fighter Group |
| Awards |
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| Spouse(s) | 2nd wife Bonnie |
George Hardy was born on June 8, 1925. He is an American pilot and military officer who is now retired. He is famous for being one of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. He also flew many important missions in the Korean War and the Vietnam War.
Contents
Early Life and Challenges
George Hardy grew up in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His parents were Edward Hardy and Alma Vargas. When he was young, he experienced racism and segregation. This meant that Black people were treated unfairly and kept separate from white people.
After finishing high school in 1942, George wanted to join the military. His older brother had joined the U.S. Navy in 1941. In 1943, George joined the Army Air Corps. At that time, the U.S. military was segregated. George faced unfair treatment from some commanders because of his race.
After World War II, George went to college at New York University School of Engineering and Science. He studied there until 1948. He wanted to become an engineer and did not plan to stay in the Air Force for his whole career.
Education and Learning
George Hardy studied at several schools and earned important degrees:
- Walter George Smith School
- South Philadelphia High School
- A Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering
- A Master of Science degree in systems engineering-reliability from the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology
- An Honorary doctorate of public service from Tuskegee University
Military Adventures
World War II Missions
In 1943, when George was 17, he joined the Army Air Corps. He began his flight training at the Tuskegee Air Field. He then went to Keesler Army Air Field in Biloxi, Mississippi, for basic training.
In 1944, he became a second lieutenant in the United States Army. He learned to fly single-engine fighter planes. He went to Walterboro Army Air Field in South Carolina for combat training. After finishing this training in 1945, he was sent to Italy.
George Hardy was one of only about 450 Tuskegee Airmen pilots who served overseas. He flew 21 combat missions over Germany in 1945. Most of his missions involved flying the P-51D Mustang. He would protect B-17 and B-24 heavy bombers as they flew to their targets. The Tuskegee Airmen's planes had special red tails, which earned them the nickname "Red Tails." After the war, George returned to Tuskegee to train other pilots.
Korean War Flights
George Hardy was called back to military service in 1948. He was sent to Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi. Later, he went to Guam with the 19th Bomb Group. He then moved to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa.
During the Korean War, he flew a B-29 bomber and completed 45 combat missions over Korea. Once, a senior officer, Fred W. Miller, removed George from a B-29 mission because of his race. Sadly, that B-29 was shot down over North Korea. Later, George worked with Miller again, and Miller came to respect George as one of his best commanders.
Vietnam War Missions
In the Vietnam War, George Hardy flew 70 missions. He piloted an C-119 gunship. He flew these missions at night, using special infrared technology. His job was to destroy North Vietnamese supply routes and convoys in Laos and Cambodia.
Awards and Recognition
George Hardy has received many honors and awards for his brave service:
- The Air Medal
- Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster
- The Congressional Gold Medal (awarded in 2007)
- The Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor
- He was inducted into the Florida Veterans Hall of Fame.
- He received 11 Oak Leaf Clusters.
- Tuskegee University gave him an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Public Service in 2006.
- He is also in the South Philadelphia High School Cultural Hall of Fame.
Life After Service
For many years, George Hardy traveled across the country. He shared the amazing story of the Tuskegee Airmen. He talked about their fight against racial prejudice and their brave actions during World War II. He also spoke about their careers after the military.
As of early 2025, George Hardy is one of the last living members of the Tuskegee Airmen. He is also one of the last three surviving members who graduated from Tuskegee AAF as single-engine fighter pilots. The others are James H. Harvey, III and Dr. Eugene J. Richardson, Jr.
On February 2, 2025, Harry T. Stewart, Jr. passed away. This means George Hardy is now the last surviving original Tuskegee Airman who flew combat missions overseas as a single-engine fighter pilot during World War II. He flew with the 99th Fighter Squadron, part of the "Red Tails" of the 332nd Fighter Group, based in Italy.
A P-51D airplane, with the serial number 44-72035, was restored in England. It now has the markings of "Tall in the Saddle," the aircraft George Hardy flew in combat. This plane still flies at airshows today.
George Hardy turned 100 years old in 2025.
See also
- Executive Order 9981
- List of Tuskegee Airmen
- List of Tuskegee Airmen Cadet Pilot Graduation Classes
- Military history of African Americans
