One of the few surviving Tuskegee Airmen and one of four original Top Guns, he celebrated his 100th birthday on Independence Day surrounded by friends, family and television cameras.
Retired Air Force Lt. Col. Harry T. Stewart Jr. celebrated his 100th birthday Thursday with a party hosted by the Detroit chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen and the Tuskegee National History Museum. ABC Detroit report.
Reflecting on aging, Stewart told the outlet, “It’s still not easy to get used to.”
“When I was a teenager I wanted it to move very fast, but now I want it to move a little slower,” the veteran said with a smile.
After being deployed to Italy in 1944 and assigned to the 332nd Fighter Squadron, an all-black air force, Stewart completed 43 long-range bomber escort missions and shot down three enemy aircraft, according to local media.
While many may think of Hollywood actor Tom Cruise when they hear “Top Gun,” the famous film was inspired by a real-life military aviation program pioneered by airmen like Stewart.
“We flew together in the first Top Gun in Las Vegas,” Stewart said, referring to the time when the Tuskegee Airmen competed in the military’s first Top Gun competition at Las Vegas Air Force Base in Nevada on May 2, 1949.
His group Recognized He was the arms competition champion until April 1995, 46 years after he won the competition, according to the Chicago Tuskegee Airmen chapter.
Nearly 80 years later, Stewart remains a sharp thinker and a great patriot.
“I think I love America just as much as I did then, and I love it now,” Stewart said of the U.S. “I think we still have a long way to go, there’s no question about that. Just like in the past, we have to remain vigilant.”
“We’re just grateful to have this day and this moment to celebrate him and his accomplishments, his history, his legacy and all that he’s done for America and Americans,” Tamara Perrin of the Tuskegee Airmen told ABC Detroit at Stewart’s party.
Stewart was ecstatic as loved ones and supporters came together to celebrate him on Independence Day, July 4th.
“I’m in awe. I’m just overwhelmed. I think it’s amazing,” he said.
