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James H. Harvey
James H. Harvey 2022 (cropped).jpg
Harvey in 2022
Born (1923-07-13) July 13, 1923 (age 101)
Montclair, New Jersey, U.S.
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Army Air Force (1943–47)
United States Air Force (1947–65)
Years of service 1943–1965
Rank Lieutenant Colonel
Unit 332nd Fighter Group
Battles/wars World War II
Korean War
Awards Distinguished Flying Cross
Air Medal (11)
Congressional Gold Medal

James Henry Harvey III, born July 13, 1923, is a retired officer from the U.S. Air Force. He was an African American fighter pilot. He flew with the famous Tuskegee Airmen, also known as the "Red Tails." These pilots were called "Black birdmen" by German enemy pilots. He is one of over 1,000 documented Tuskegee Airmen.

Harvey is known as the first African American jet fighter pilot to fly combat missions in the Korean War. He and his team won the U.S. Air Force's first "Top Gun" competition in 1949. In 2006, he received the Congressional Gold Medal along with all other Tuskegee Airmen. James Harvey, George Hardy, and Harry Stewart Jr. are among the last living Tuskegee Airmen.

Early Life and Education

James Henry Harvey III was born in Montclair, New Jersey, on July 13, 1923. His parents were James and Cornelia Harvey. He had three younger siblings: Charles, Dorothy, and Cornelia.

Harvey went to primary school in Silver Lake, Essex County, New Jersey, and Montclair. In 1930, his family moved to Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. By 1936, they moved to Nuangola Station in northeastern Pennsylvania. They were the only African American family in that area.

Harvey attended high school in Mountain Top, Pennsylvania. He was a very good student. He was the president of his senior class. He was also the captain of the basketball team. He was the top student, known as the class valedictorian.

Military Career in World War II

P-51C-18
A P-51 aircraft with red markings.

In January 1943, Harvey tried to join the United States Army Air Corps. However, he was turned away because of his race. He was drafted into the United States Army in April 1943. He was first assigned as an engineer in the Army Air Corps.

Harvey then applied for the Aviation Cadet Training Program. He passed the exam at Bolling Field. He was accepted into the Tuskegee Flight School's pilot training program. After 30 days of basic training in Biloxi, Mississippi, he went to Tuskegee Army Air Field.

On October 16, 1944, Harvey finished the Tuskegee Flight Program. He became a second lieutenant flying officer. In April 1945, he completed combat training in Walterboro, South Carolina. Over 500 Tuskegee Airmen trained there. They became replacement pilots for the 332nd Fighter Group.

The U.S. Army Air Corps assigned Harvey to the 99th Fighter Squadron. This was at Godman Field, Kentucky. However, Harvey and his squadron did not fight in World War II.

Winning the 1949 "Top Gun Competition"

In January 1949, the U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff asked all Air Force groups to join an aerial weapons competition. Four months later, in May 1949, Harvey joined a three-pilot team. They were from the 332nd Fighter Group. They competed in the first "Top Gun" competition. It was held at Las Vegas Air Force Base, now Nellis Air Force Base.

This was a tough 10-day event. It had six parts:

  • Aerial gunnery at 20,000 feet
  • Aerial gunnery at 12,000 feet
  • Dive bombing
  • Skip bombing
  • Rocket firing
  • Panel strafing

Harvey's team was in the lead from the very beginning to the end.

His team included First Lieutenant Harry Stewart Jr. from the 100th Squadron. Captain Alva Temple from the 300th Squadron was also on the team. First Lieutenant Halbert Alexander from the 99th Squadron was an alternate pilot. Staff Sergeant Buford A. Johnson was the aircraft crew chief. Harvey and his team flew P-47N Thunderbolts.

The results and the winning trophy were missing from Air Force records for 55 years. They were found in 1995. Harvey's team won against other U.S. Air Force teams. These other teams flew much more advanced aircraft. Harvey later said, "They knew who won, but did not want to recognize us."

Later Career and Retirement

In 1949, Harvey and fellow Tuskegee Airman Edward P. Drummond Jr. moved. They were transferred to an F-80 squadron in Japan. This was at the Misawa Air Base. Harvey became the first African American jet fighter pilot to fight in the Korean War.

On October 16, 1950, Harvey led four F-80s. They were on a bomber support mission near Yongsan, Korea. Despite bad weather, they heavily damaged an enemy camp. For this, Harvey received the Distinguished Flying Cross. He flew 140 missions in Korea. He also received several Air Medals.

After the Korean War, Harvey had many different jobs. He worked as an Assistant Operations Officer. He was also an Instrument Instructor Pilot. He became an Aircraft Test Pilot. In 1955, he was a Flying Safety Officer. He earned the "Command Pilot" rating. He later became a Fighter Training Officer.

In 1959, Harvey was an Assistant Group Operations Officer. He also served as the Operations Officer for the 71st Fighter Interceptor Squadron. He flew F-102 aircraft. In 1961, he worked as a Weapons Director Staff Officer. He later became a Battle Staff Training Officer. Harvey retired as a lieutenant colonel on March 31, 1965. He served 22 years in the U.S. Army Air Corps and the United States Air Force.

After his military career, Harvey worked for Oscar Mayer. This is a company that makes meat products. He was hired as a corporate salesman on June 7, 1965. His family, with four girls, moved across the U.S. In April 1972, Oscar Mayer moved Harvey to Denver, Colorado. He still lives there today. He retired from Oscar Mayer in 1980. James Harvey turned 100 years old on July 13, 2023.

Military Awards and Honors

During his 22 years in the military, Harvey earned many awards:

On March 29, 2007, James Harvey and all other Tuskegee Airmen received the Congressional Gold Medal. This is one of the highest civilian awards in the United States.

Aircraft Flown by James Harvey

During his 22-year career, James Harvey flew many different types of aircraft:

See Also

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