Lieutenant Colonel George E. Hardy (1925–2025) was one of the last surviving members of the famed Tuskegee Airmen, the pioneering group of Black aviators who shattered racial barriers during World War II. Born in Philadelphia, Hardy enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943 and trained at the Tuskegee Army Airfield in Alabama, earning his wings in 1944. As a member of the 332nd Fighter Group, he flew 21 combat missions over Europe in a P-51 Mustang, escorting bombers and engaging enemy aircraft.
After World War II, Hardy continued his service, flying 45 missions in Korea and more than 70 in Vietnam, distinguishing himself as one of the few pilots to serve in three major conflicts. His career exemplified courage and resilience in the face of segregation and systemic racism.
Hardy spent his later years as an educator and public speaker, sharing the Tuskegee legacy to inspire future generations and ensure their contributions were never forgotten.
The Joy Trip Project celebrates American history with the stories remarkable features of our past that are too often forgotten. The Unhidden Minute is part of the Unhidden Podcast Project supported through a National Geographic Explorer Grant from the National Geographic Society, with the cooperation of the National Park Service. This series elevates the untold stories of men and women who helped to shape the progress of our nation.
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