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demmiblue

(38,847 posts)
Sat Sep 27, 2025, 06:31 PM Sep 27

George Hardy, last of the Tuskegee Airmen's World War II combat pilots, dies at 100

Source: NBC News

Lt. Col. George Hardy, one of the original Tuskegee Airmen and the last of the group’s World War II combat pilots, died Tuesday night, according to Tuskegee Airmen Inc.

He was 100 years old.

“His legacy is one of courage, resilience, tremendous skill and dogged perseverance against racism, prejudice and other evils,” said Leon Butler, national president of Tuskegee Airmen Inc. “We are forever grateful for his sacrifice and will hold dear to his memory.”

At 19, Hardy became the youngest Tuskegee fighter pilot when he completed the Army Air Corps pilot training program in 1942, earning his wings and a commission as a second lieutenant.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/lt-col-george-hardy-tuskegee-airmen-world-war-ii-pilots-dies-100-rcna234028



36 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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George Hardy, last of the Tuskegee Airmen's World War II combat pilots, dies at 100 (Original Post) demmiblue Sep 27 OP
Fly high, brave pilot! May your skies be clear to the heavens. nt Ilsa Sep 27 #1
Yes, forever grateful 🫡 Deuxcents Sep 27 #2
RIP George Hardy FakeNoose Sep 27 #3
He flew combat in three wars. WWII, Korea, Viet Nam. Irish_Dem Sep 27 #4
Fighting a war for a country that often considered Silent Type Sep 27 #5
Met one of the Tuskegee Airmen in the 20022003 time frame. InstantGratification Sep 27 #6
I meet one back in 1989 during Thanksgiving KS Toronado Sep 27 #24
R.I.P. Marthe48 Sep 27 #7
Thank you. LoisB Sep 27 #8
May Lt. Col. George Hardy Rest in Peace and May his Memory be a Blessing. n/t iluvtennis Sep 27 #9
May God be your co-pilot. surfered Sep 27 #10
RIP George Hardy. StarryNite Sep 27 #11
Thank you Sir JMCKUSICK Sep 27 #12
Thank you, Lt. Col. Hardy. You have truly "slipped the surly bonds of earth. ." niyad Sep 27 #13
"...Reached out and touched the face of God" Hekate Sep 28 #28
..last of the Tuskegee Airmen's World War II.. republianmushroom Sep 27 #14
Rest In Peace, Sir. Doing service to your country while battling the enemy of racism at home. Clear skies! electric_blue68 Sep 27 #15
Thank you for your service to our country, sir. spudspud Sep 27 #16
Here's his picture KS Toronado Sep 27 #17
Thank you, sir. God bless. Joinfortmill Sep 27 #18
Thank you for your service Col. Hardy angrychair Sep 27 #19
Tuskegee Airmen film trailer cbabe Sep 27 #20
R-I-P Lt Col Hardy 🙏 Raine Sep 27 #21
R.I.P, Mr. Hardy wendyb-NC Sep 27 #22
What a guy Lulu KC Sep 27 #23
RIP MustLoveBeagles Sep 27 #25
R.I.P. George Coldwater Sep 27 #26
Incredible, amazing, fantastic.. Permanut Sep 27 #27
God bless him. Dulcinea Sep 28 #29
R.I.P. sinkingfeeling Sep 28 #30
Rest in peace George Hardy oasis Sep 28 #31
The last flight, from this sweet but troubled home. 70sEraVet Sep 28 #32
George Clouds Passing Sep 28 #33
RIP Colonel Hardy and thank you for your brave service. Prof. Toru Tanaka Sep 28 #34
CAVU Airman sarge43 Sep 28 #35
Thank you!! tavernier Sep 28 #36

Irish_Dem

(77,056 posts)
4. He flew combat in three wars. WWII, Korea, Viet Nam.
Sat Sep 27, 2025, 06:51 PM
Sep 27

And he was able to walk away from his aircraft after each flight.
He must have been an excellent pilot and had an angel on his wing.

6. Met one of the Tuskegee Airmen in the 20022003 time frame.
Sat Sep 27, 2025, 07:18 PM
Sep 27

All I could think of was to shake his hand and tell him it was one of the most profound honors of my life to do so.

I wish I would have thought to tell him that my great-uncle Charlie was a gunner on a B-17. I wish Tuskegee had been escorting Charlie's bomber on his final mission. As it was, he was shot down and spent the last 113 days of WW2 in a PoW camp. It worked out ok, he made it home and married Aunt Rose 11 days after he got home. He wasn't one to let the grass grow under his feet.....

KS Toronado

(21,783 posts)
24. I meet one back in 1989 during Thanksgiving
Sat Sep 27, 2025, 10:09 PM
Sep 27

at my Uncle's house in Shreveport La, can't recall what his real name was because after hearing it
once all I heard the rest of the weekend was my Uncle & him calling each other Colonel.
A real fine gentleman and was easy to admire him.
My Uncle was a B24 pilot during WWII

Marthe48

(22,183 posts)
7. R.I.P.
Sat Sep 27, 2025, 07:23 PM
Sep 27

Thank you for defending our country and setting an honorable example for many generations.

Hekate

(100,021 posts)
28. "...Reached out and touched the face of God"
Sun Sep 28, 2025, 12:07 AM
Sep 28

Travel on, Colonel, with our grateful thanks.

republianmushroom

(21,841 posts)
14. ..last of the Tuskegee Airmen's World War II..
Sat Sep 27, 2025, 08:38 PM
Sep 27

What a lost, we knew it would happen but still, what a lost.

RIP, George, you are now with those other brave and unselfish men. I salute you, sir. Thank you.

electric_blue68

(24,650 posts)
15. Rest In Peace, Sir. Doing service to your country while battling the enemy of racism at home. Clear skies!
Sat Sep 27, 2025, 08:49 PM
Sep 27

angrychair

(11,344 posts)
19. Thank you for your service Col. Hardy
Sat Sep 27, 2025, 09:20 PM
Sep 27

Truly the very definition of bravery and patriotism.

into the deep blue and beyond.

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