George Hardy obit

Lieutenant Colonel George Hardy of the Tuskegee Airmen, Ramitelli's last hero, has died.

 

He was not on the list.

CAMPOMARINO . Lieutenant Colonel George Hardy, born in 1925, has left us. He was an iconic figure in the history of American and international military aviation. Having enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, Hardy trained at the famous Tuskegee Army Air Field. During a period of intense racial segregation, he became one of the first African-American military pilots, thus entering the legend of the Tuskegee Airmen.

During his long career, George Hardy distinguished himself for his courage and dedication, flying 136 combat missions in three different conflicts: World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. In Europe, as a pilot with the 99th Fighter Squadron within the 332nd Fighter Group, he completed 21 missions from Ramitelli Air Base. At the controls of his P-51 Mustang, he escorted long-range B-17 and B-24 bombers during dangerous raids into Germany
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In the Korean War, Hardy served as a B-29 bomber pilot, flying 45 missions, while in Vietnam he completed 70 missions aboard an AC-119K ground attack aircraft. His valor earned him prestigious honors, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters. In 2007, the Tuskegee Airmen's contributions were also recognized with the Congressional Gold Medal.

After completing his military career with the rank of lieutenant colonel, Hardy continued his life working in the private sector. However, he never abandoned his commitment to historical memory: he was a motivational speaker and educator, dedicating himself to recounting and preserving the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen and instilling the value of sacrifice and inclusion in new generations.

With the passing of Lieutenant Colonel George Hardy, Ramitelli loses his last hero, one of the "adopted sons" of World War II. A symbol of determination and resilience, Hardy leaves an indelible mark on the history of the United States of America. His memory will live on as an example of courage and commitment to freedom and equality.