Tuskegee Airman at G.P. Rotary
Posted by Mark Wilson
on May 27, 2013
Retired Lt. Col. Harry T. Stewart Jr., one of America’s most decorated Tuskegee Airmen from World War II, was the guest speaker at the May 20 noon luncheon meeting of Rotary of Grosse Pointe. As a “Tuskegee Airmen,” Stewart flew 43 long-range bomber escort missions in the P-51 “Mustang” fighter plane. He lives in Bloomfield with his spouse of 66 years, Delphine. Stewart was introduced by John Conway, Program Committee chair, who said he had heard good things about Stewart from other Rotary clubs where the Tuskegee Airman had spoken. Stewart noted how at the time of the Second World War, there were no blacks in baseball yet. "The military reflected society," he said. The special unit was mustered in Tuskegee, Ala., as part of the 332nd Airborne. Stewart recalled that at the time he was a typical, "cocky" teenager who thought he could do better than anyone else. "I thought I was God's gift to the Air Corps," he told the Rotarians. Turns out he was: He was awarded the Distinguished Fly Cross, and after the war further distinguished himself in the newly formed Air Force's first "Top Gun" competition in 1949. He turned his wings just six months ago. Rotary of Grosse Pointe President Diane Strickler met with Stewart after the meeting.