Heroes in Flight

Stewart grew up in New York City, a few miles from what is now LaGuardia Airport. As he watched military planes taking off, he dreamed of flying one someday.

But at the time, that seemed impossible. The U.S. military was segregated—Black soldiers weren’t allowed in the same units as White soldiers. They were also kept out of many key military jobs, including flying airplanes. Many people wrongly believed that Black soldiers didn’t have the skills to be military pilots.

But over time, Black civil rights leaders convinced the U.S. Army to start training Black Americans as pilots. The first class of aviators arrived at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama in July 1941.

Stewart grew up in New York City. He lived a few miles from what is now LaGuardia Airport. He would watch military planes take off. He dreamed of flying one someday.

But at the time, that seemed impossible. The U.S. military was segregated. Black soldiers weren’t allowed in the same units as White soldiers. They were also kept out of many key military jobs. This included flying airplanes. Many people wrongly believed that Black soldiers didn’t have the skills to be military pilots.

But over time, Black civil rights leaders convinced the U.S. Army to train Black Americans as pilots. The first class of aviators arrived at the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama in July 1941.

Five months later, Japan attacked the U.S. Navy base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii on December 7, 1941. The U.S. entered World War II on the side of the Allies, including Great Britain and the Soviet Union. They fought the Axis powers, led by Germany, Italy, and Japan. 

Stewart had to wait until he turned 18 to enlist in the Army. He was accepted into the Tuskegee program in 1943. 

But Stewart was in for a shock when he traveled to the South for the first time. He had grown up in an area that was largely integrated. He hadn’t experienced the forced segregation that was the law in other parts of the U.S. On his way to basic training, Stewart had to sit in a train car for only Black people. As he ate in the dining car, a conductor pulled a curtain around Stewart so the White passengers couldn’t see him. 

Stewart didn’t let the unjust treatment stop him from serving his country. He graduated from the Tuskegee program in 1944.

Five months later, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor. It was December 7, 1941. Pearl Harbor was a U.S. Navy base in Hawaii. The U.S. then entered World War II on the side of the Allies. They included Great Britain and the Soviet Union. They fought against the Axis powers, led by Germany, Italy, and Japan. 

Stewart had to wait until he turned 18 to enlist in the Army. He was accepted into the Tuskegee program in 1943. 

But Stewart was in for a shock. He traveled to the South to begin his training. He had grown up in an area that was largely integrated. He hadn’t experienced forced segregation. But that was the law in other parts of the U.S. On his way to basic training, Stewart had to sit in a train car for only Black people. As he ate in the dining car, a conductor pulled a curtain around Stewart. This was so the White passengers couldn’t see him. 

Stewart didn’t let the unjust treatment stop him from serving his country. He graduated from the Tuskegee program in 1944.

In battle, Stewart and the other Tuskegee Airmen proved to be as skilled as White pilots. They flew more than 1,500 missions over enemy territory, destroying 112 enemy planes in the air and another 150 on the ground. 

The Airmen were among the more than 1 million Black service members who helped the Allies win the war. Their brave service and sacrifice led to a change in the U.S. armed forces. In 1948, President Harry S. Truman announced that the military would become integrated.

Still, Black soldiers faced discrimination at home. Stewart applied for pilot jobs with two airlines, but neither would hire a Black pilot. 

“As proud as I was to fight for freedom, it was discouraging to return home to find that little had changed,” says Stewart.

Stewart retired from the military in 1950. He continues to tell his story, hoping future generations will be inspired.

“Use it as an example of how great this country can be,” says Stewart. “Go after what you want with all of your heart and soul.”

In battle, Stewart and the other Tuskegee Airmen proved to be as skilled as White pilots. They flew more than 1,500 missions over enemy territory. They shot down 112 enemy planes. They destroyed another 150 on the ground.  

More than 1 million Black service members helped the Allies win the war. The Airmen were among them. Their brave service and sacrifice led to a change in the U.S. armed forces. In 1948, President Harry S. Truman announced that the military would become integrated.

Still, Black soldiers faced discrimination at home. Stewart applied for pilot jobs with two airlines. But neither would hire a Black pilot. 

“As proud as I was to fight for freedom, it was discouraging to return home to find that little had changed,” says Stewart.

Stewart retired from the military in 1950. He continues to tell his story. He hopes future generations will be inspired.

“Use it as an example of how great this country can be,” says Stewart. “Go after what you want with all of your heart and soul.”

1. The article states that the Tuskegee Airmen “had to fight two different enemies.” What does this mean?

2. How did Harry Stewart Jr. feel when he returned from the war and looked for a job as a pilot? Use evidence from the article.

3. Why does Stewart tell his story today?

1. The article states that the Tuskegee Airmen “had to fight two different enemies.” What does this mean?

2. How did Harry Stewart Jr. feel when he returned from the war and looked for a job as a pilot? Use evidence from the article.

3. Why does Stewart tell his story today?