In Aurora, Colorado, efforts to honor the legacy of the pioneering Black Air Force unit, the Tuskegee Airmen, continue despite President Donald Trump’s attempts to dismantle federal diversity programs. The Tuskegee Airmen, particularly the 332nd Fighter Group, proved their capability in World War II, challenging prevailing prejudices. Among them stands Col. James H. Harvey III, now 101, a distinguished pilot who became the first Black jet fighter pilot in the Korean War after completing 126 successful missions.
Col. Harvey, along with three other Tuskegee Airmen, clinched the victory at the U.S. Air Force Gunnery Meet in 1949, an event that is now considered a precursor to the Navy’s prestigious “Top Gun” school. The determination and skill demonstrated by the Tuskegee Airmen challenged the discriminatory beliefs of the time. “They said we didn’t have any ability to operate aircraft or operate heavy machinery,” Harvey recalled, emphasizing the baseless nature of such biases.
After Trump’s inauguration, the Air Force controversially removed recruit training courses featuring the Tuskegee Airmen, leading to bipartisan criticism. The decision was described by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as a “malicious implementation” of Trump’s executive order, prompting a rapid reversal by the Air Force.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin clarified that the initial removal aimed to swiftly adhere to Trump’s mandate without hesitation. Nonetheless, the subsequent reinstatement emphasized the significance of the Tuskegee Airmen’s contributions, showcased in diversity and inclusion courses during military training.
Harvey, reflecting on the current state of prejudice in the U.S., criticized Trump’s role in exacerbating racial tensions. He voiced a willingness to confront the issue directly, highlighting the enduring impact of Trump’s policies on the collective American psyche. “I’ll tell him, ‘You’re a racist,’” Harvey stated, underscoring his unyielding resolve to speak truth to power.
The Tuskegee Airmen, originating from the 99th Pursuit Squadron in Alabama, later evolved into the 332nd Fighter Group. They accomplished significant feats during WWII, including the destruction of over 400 enemy aircraft and the sinking of a German destroyer. Out of 992 trained pilots, 335 served in combat, with 66 killed in action and 32 captured as prisoners of war.
The 1949 Gunnery Meet marked a pivotal moment, as Black and white troops were integrated, and the Tuskegee Airmen were dispersed into new units. It wasn’t until decades later that the Air Force acknowledged their aerial proficiency, with the winners and their trophy overlooked for years. Harvey declared, “We won them all,” recalling the racial obstacles they overcame.
Despite not seeing combat during WWII, Harvey’s Korean War service in the F-80 Shooting Star jet fighter earned him accolades, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. He retired in 1965 as a lieutenant colonel and was posthumously promoted to colonel in 2023.
In 2020, Trump promoted Charles McGee, another surviving member of the Tuskegee Airmen, to brigadier general before McGee’s passing in 2022 at age 102. Harvey, reflecting on his own achievements, regards the Gunnery Meet victory as a pinnacle of his career, validated by the Air Force’s belated recognition in 1993 and the eventual discovery of the long-missing trophy.
“We were good, and they couldn’t take it away from us,” Harvey expressed, affirming the enduring legacy and accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen against a backdrop of historical injustices.
