The True and Untold Story of the First Top Gun Winner - Tuskegee Airman James H. Harvey III

[@aaskoglund]

I had the pleasure of waiting on Lt./Col. James H. Harvey III this evening. He was very nice. I shook his hand and thanked him and he gave me his business card from the Tuskegee Airmen. What an honor it was meeting this living legend. He said there are an estimated 36 Tuskegee Airmen living and most of them get together once each year in a randomly selected city.

[@niaorr9978]

Glad my mom located the trophy.

[@superiortranscription351]

cool

[@magoodrummer1462]

wow your mom did a great thing for history thanks for sharing

[@jerryswallow]

thats great

[@sharonmoon1626]

❤❤❤❤❤

[@lionheart944]

Kudos to your mom

[@wingnut4217]

Let the truth be told...thank you.

[@EHD351]

Outstanding Pilots who did a great Service for this great Nation. It is a disgrace the Air Force took 46 years for full recognition. Thank You Sir for Your excellent Contributions, and for the many Lives You saved during the War.

[@MTXSHO9732vV8SHO]

A Microcosm of "The Black Experience"..

[@magoodrummer1462]

they said never going to be displayed. now it will never not be displayed. thanks to all the Tuskegee airmen who proved that they were men and not labels. I met one Tuskegee airmen and was so honored to shake his had . I never asked him his name to which I regret but the smile on his face when I shook his hand left me speechless. I was building his home in hazel crest Illinois. God bless them all . True Americans. the shame was on anyone who thought these men couldn't be the best of the best.

[@nedstewart1]

WRONG! The story that the trophy was deliberately hidden by racists to cover up the achievement of the black pilots does not ring true. For one thing, the 332nd Fighter Group was only one of four organizations listed on the trophy, and three of them were white. Hiding the trophy would not only obscure black heroes, but white ones as well. Another factor to consider is that when the trophy was awarded for the last time, no institution called the Air Force Museum existed yet. In 1956, the Air Force Technical Museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base was renamed the Air Force Museum, which was open to the public, but the trophy was not yet a part of the museum’s collection, but belonged to the Smithsonian Institution, which could not display all of the thousands of artifacts in its inventory. In 1971, the Air Force Museum moved to its current site, but was still only a fraction of what it is today. Not until 1975 was the museum constituted as an official USAF organization rather than simply a named activity. The museum grew tremendously in size in the decades after 1975, and eventually had more room to exhibit

[@Watkinsstudio]

@@nedstewart1 The number of people who disregard your efforts to discredit the Tuskegee airmen equals all the people.

[@dabiggdogg1027]

WOW He’s on Fox8 Today he’s 98 year old I 👊🏿👊🏿SALUTE YOU SIR👊🏿👊🏿 I appreciate your service and the history lesson today 1 TOP GUN P-47 WINNER - 1949 Nothing But RESPECT!

[@scottroberts1337]

These are tremendous accounts of guts, commitment, self respect and cooperation. I am also proud and aware of the thousands of men and women required to get and keep the flyers aloft. Men like me father Lt. Walter A. Roberts, of the Signal Corp. Does anyone have photos of instructing radio classes at Moten Field? Also my older brother WAR Jr. I believe was the first child born at that base hospital.

[@frankj.mendelson5526]

Lt. Col Harvey made an historic visit to an historic HBCU campus last week, Savannah State University. He recently celebrated his 100th birthday. He was great.

[@billycushion9266]

That’s disgusting behavior by the air force

[@airportlanding8224]

In reality, the Air Force’s 1949 gunnery meet in Las Vegas was not called “Top Gun,” and the 332nd Fighter Group was not the only fighter group to win. The 332nd won the conventional (propeller-driven) aircraft category, while the 4th Fighter Group won the jet aircraft category. In 1950, the Air Force held another gunnery meet in Las Vegas, but by then, the all-black 332nd Fighter Group had been inactivated. Two other organizations, the 3525th Aircraft Gunnery Squadron and the 27th Fighter Escort Group, won the 1950 gunnery meet, the first for the jet aircraft category, and the second for the conventional (propeller-driven) aircraft category. The trophy for the 1949 and 1950 gunnery meets included an engraved plate that named the four organizations that won the two meets in the two categories. The story that the trophy was deliberately hidden by racists to cover up the achievement of the black pilots does not ring true. For one thing, the 332nd Fighter Group was only one of four organizations listed on the trophy, and three of them were white. Hiding the trophy would not only obscure black heroes, but white ones as well. Another factor to consider is that when the trophy was awarded for the last time, no institution called the Air Force Museum existed yet. In 1956, the Air Force Technical Museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base was renamed the Air Force Museum, which was open to the public, but the trophy was not yet a part of the museum’s collection, but belonged to the Smithsonian Institution, which could not display all of the thousands of artifacts in its inventory. In 1971, the Air Force Museum moved to its current site, but was still only a fraction of what it is today. Not until 1975 was the museum constituted as an official USAF organization rather than simply a named activity. The museum grew tremendously in size in the decades after 1975, and eventually had more room to exhibit

[@nedstewart1]

@@airportlanding8224 let it be told. Because the truth was not told in this video. GOOGLE: Tuskegee Airmen INC next enter Tuskegee Airmen-History next look down to misconceptions of the Tuskegee Airmen Go to #16 The story that the trophy was deliberately hidden by racists to cover up the achievement of the black pilots does not ring true.

[@Watkinsstudio]

@@airportlanding8224 Changing your name can't make anyone believe there is somebody besides yourself spreading misinformation.

[@Watkinsstudio]

@@nedstewart1 You're comments don't ring true.

[@juliemerritt5144]

@@nedstewart1 you are a sad sack.

[@BatMan-oe2gh]

I have noticed on these videos of the Tuskegee Airmen, and there are a few, they have very few views and very few comments. All have been up since 2008, this one is 2010, and bugger all attention. But when you go to say the 8th Air Force and the B-17's, millions of views and tens of thousands of comments. Says a lot about White people, do not want to know about any Black Airmen fighting fro them, because so many White people are racist, simple as that. The majority are indoctrinated into believing that all black people are dumb and can not do these things, so they ignore it. Just think about that

[@airportlanding8224]

Maybe more would have had it not been for the "never lost a bomber" lie.

[@Spearmint22425]

@@airportlanding8224 they never lost a bomber to enemy aircraft, they lost 25 to anti air guns shooting at bombers attacking targets. No one has disputed that fact. But I can see your frustration with the facts getting mixed up. Still no excuse to say that the raid tails don't deserve recognition. They were the only escorts to stay with there bombers throughout the entire flight, no matter what

[@nedstewart1]

@@Spearmint22425 Wrong! There is no doubt the Tuskegee Airmen(332nd.) lost bombers to German fighters. The TUSKEGEE AIRMEN INC the main chapter disagrees with you. GOOGLE: Tuskegee Airmen Inc. Or easier GOOGLE: 52 MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN then go to page 10. NEXT:on page 10..... THE MISCONCEPTION OF “NEVER LOST A BOMBER” In reality, bombers under Tuskegee Airmen escort were shot down on seven different days: June 9, 1944; June 13, 1944; July 12, 1944; July 18, 1944; July 20, 1944; August 24, 1944; and March 24, 1945.6 Moreover, the Tuskegee Airmen flew 311 missions for the Fifteenth Air Force between early June 1944 and late April 1945, and only 179 of those missions escorted bombers. Alan Gropman interviewed General Benjamin O. Davis, Jr., years after World War II, and specifically asked him if the “never lost a bomber” statement were true. General Davis replied that he questioned the statement, but that it had been repeated so many times people were coming to believe it LOOK IT UP YOUR SELF GOOGLE: 52 MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN go to page 10

[@benjamind7639]

@@nedstewart1 lies

[@Watkinsstudio]

@@nedstewart1 Tough luck in your ongoing battle with reality.

[@tommyputyouonpyo2636]

If they were doing that for a simple weapons meet. Just imagine 1949 on a macro scale. I’m so thankful for the black Americans that paved the way for a inclusive society. Without my ancestors help America would still be segregated. There would be less immigrants of color. There wouldn’t be an America as we know it today

[@bigbillybadass]

They took these men skills n made the current top gun 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@glenfaughtjr1663]

Shameful subterfuge, remnants of which persist in military, paramilitary, and law enforcement. When will perpetrators of this behavior realize how they defile their own character in cowardly attempts to deprecate the superior ability of others?

[@nedstewart1]

Like the 4th. Fighter Group who really won the competition. GOOGLE: Tuskegee Airmen INC next go to Tuskegee Airmen-history look down to misconceptions about the Tuskegee Airmen Go to 34. The misconception that the Tuskegee Airmen won the 1949 USAF gunnery meet in Las Vegas, defeating all other fighter groups in the Air Force 16. The misconception of the hidden trophy Lot's of lies told in this video.

[@Watkinsstudio]

@@nedstewart1 You're fighting a losing battle. The Tuskegee airmen have won.

[@airportlanding8224]

In reality, the Air Force’s 1949 gunnery meet in Las Vegas was not called “Top Gun,” and the 332nd Fighter Group was not the only fighter group to win. The 332nd won the conventional (propeller-driven) aircraft category, while the 4th Fighter Group won the jet aircraft category. In 1950, the Air Force held another gunnery meet in Las Vegas, but by then, the all-black 332nd Fighter Group had been inactivated. Two other organizations, the 3525th Aircraft Gunnery Squadron and the 27th Fighter Escort Group, won the 1950 gunnery meet, the first for the jet aircraft category, and the second for the conventional (propeller-driven) aircraft category. The trophy for the 1949 and 1950 gunnery meets included an engraved plate that named the four organizations that won the two meets in the two categories.87 The story that the trophy was deliberately hidden by racists to cover up the achievement of the black pilots does not ring true. For one thing, the 332nd Fighter Group was only one of four organizations listed on the trophy, and three of them were white. Hiding the trophy would not only obscure black heroes, but white ones as well. Another factor to consider is that when the trophy was awarded for the last time, no institution called the Air Force Museum existed yet. In 1956, the Air Force Technical Museum at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base was renamed the Air Force Museum, which was open to the public, but the trophy was not yet a part of the museum’s collection, but belonged to the Smithsonian Institution, which could not display all of the thousands of artifacts in its inventory. In 1971, the Air Force Museum moved to its current site, but was still only a fraction of what it is today. Not until 1975 was the museum constituted as an official USAF organization rather than simply a named activity. The museum grew tremendously in size in the decades after 1975, and eventually had more room to exhibit

[@superiortranscription351]

another revisionist history. LOL. Just own it boy. You guys are racists!

[@nedstewart1]

@@superiortranscription351 That's funny because the TUSKEGEE AIRMEN INC agrees with the above. They are the national chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen. They also endorse "MIsCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN" GOOGLE MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN" The misconception that the Tuskegee Airmen won the first Top Gun competition. The misconception that the Tuskegee Airmen won the 1949 USAF gunnery meet in Las Vegas, defeating all other fighter groups in the Air Force There you will find the truth

[@nedstewart1]

GOOGLE: "MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN" The misconception that the Tuskegee Airmen won the 1949 USAF gunnery meet in Las Vegas, defeating all other fighter groups in the Air Force The misconception that the Tuskegee Airmen won the first Top Gun competition.

[@nedstewart1]

In reality, the Air Force’s 1949 gunnery meet in Las Vegas was not called “Top Gun,” and the 332nd Fighter Group was not the only fighter group to win. The 332nd won the conventional (propeller-driven) aircraft category, while the 4th Fighter Group won the jet aircraft category.

[@Watkinsstudio]

@@nedstewart1 Whine on.

[@spankthatdonkey]

Thank you for your service!

[@johnj9391]

Unsung heroes. They know it. Some of the best bomber escorts hands down

[@nedstewart1]

Doolittle's major influence on the European air war occurred early in 1943 when he changed the policy requiring escorting fighters to remain with their bombers at all times. Doolittle allowed American fighter escorts to fly far ahead of the bombers' combat box formations in air supremacy mode. Throughout most of 1944 this tactic negated the effectiveness of the twin-engined Zerstörergeschwader heavy fighter wings (and their replacement, single-engined Sturmgruppen of heavily armed Fw 190As) by clearing opposition of the Luftwaffe's bomber destroyers from the airspace ahead of the bomber formations on their way to their targets. After the bombers had hit their targets, the USAAF's fighters were then free to strafe German airfields and transportation on their trips returning to base. These tasks were initially performed with Lockheed P-38 Lightnings and Republic P-47 Thunderbolts through the end of 1943. These were progressively replaced with the long-ranged North American P-51 Mustangs as the spring of 1944 wore on.

[@rickypalacios1554]

I feel that it is sad that these Men we're not given the recognition until after the fact.

[@MTXSHO9732vV8SHO]

Notice in the picture with the Trophy that none of the Men are smiling. No Tuskegee Airman ever worked as a commercial pilot either. A stretch of the freeway alongside MCRD Miramar is named after the Airmen. Miramar is where Top Gun is traditionally held.

[@stephensmith4480]

A very interesting story. I am glad that those men got the recognition they truly deserve. Finally.

[@nedstewart1]

Along with the white pilots from the 4th.fighter Group who also participated in the same competition and on average were the highest scorers since the propeller group (the Tuskegee Airmen) had 200 extra points added to their score than the 4th. fighter group.

[@Watkinsstudio]

@@nedstewart1 You're still trying and failing to discredit Tuskegee airmen.

[@juliemerritt5144]

@@nedstewart1 knock off trying to discredit these pilots. They are.heroes.

[@danraymond1253]

@@nedstewart1 where are you getting that from? I'm genuinely asking, is this something you made up, or do you have actual evidence to prove it? Until I see anything concrete, I'd say you're dead wrong. But please do prove me wrong if you can.

[@richrepublican3493]

If you can win with the worst planes then you are the best pilots. I guess piloting is more important than the plane you fly in.

[@nedstewart1]

You Tube: Lt. Colonel Harry Stewart, Tuskegee Airmen (Full Interview) Go to middle of video and Lt. explains the truth of the competition

[@Watkinsstudio]

@@nedstewart1 The number of people who take your comments seriously equals none of the people.

[@juliemerritt5144]

@@nedstewart1 you are so jealous.

[@deadmanthehekatonkheire994]

When you're utterly convinced of your own superiority, no evidence to the contrary -- no matter how painfully obvious -- will sway you from your delusion. Salute to these Kings.

[@ghward01]

Woww!! This was quite an inspirational story.

[@irwinheitner5417]

Shameful

[@nedstewart1]

In reality, the Air Force’s 1949 gunnery meet in Las Vegas was not called “Top Gun,” and the 332nd Fighter Group was not the only fighter group to win. The 332nd won the conventional (propeller-driven) aircraft category, while the 4th Fighter Group won the jet aircraft category. GOOGLE: "52 MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN" It is endorsed by THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN INC next go to 34. The misconception that the Tuskegee Airmen won the 1949 USAF gunnery meet in Las Vegas, defeating all other fighter groups in the Air Force 46. The misconception that the Tuskegee Airmen won the first Top Gun competition. In reality, the Air Force’s 1949 gunnery meet in Las Vegas was not called “Top Gun,” and the 332nd Fighter Group was not the only fighter group to win. The 332nd won the conventional (propeller-driven) aircraft category, while the 4th Fighter Group won the jet aircraft category.

[@Watkinsstudio]

@@nedstewart1 Nobody takes your comments seriously.

[@hermanhamilton3416]

Kudos 🙏🤝👏🙌.