Outstanding. These men fought 2 wars at once. Talk about real heroes. Great channel for the greatest generation of Americans. These men and women will never be replicated. Thanks again for sharing these stories. Should be required watching for every American
Thanks for your service and thanks for sharing. My grandfather, grandmother, and mother all worked at the Republic Aircraft Plant in Evansville, Indiana during WW2, making the P47 fighter planes. I used to hear stories of how they labored to make the best possible planes for our airmen. I am sure that they would have been proud to know that their planes, although obsolete, in the hands of truly skilled airmen, bested the rest of the USAF in competition. I have heard anecdotes of how tough those planes were. God Bless you.
you BRAVE BRAVE Men who sacrificed so much.thankyou for sharing your story and know that I and a lot of people are fully aware of your triumphs God bless you
For those who continue to find reason to belittle individuals such as this, recognize here that all of your efforts - eventually, are ineffectual. Men... like James Harvey lll - will surmount everything that you attempt to throw at them.
Theres a huge lesson here that people all over America should learn. Never generalize groups of people. Imagine how many more talented people could have made history if they weren't held back by a system designed to hold them down. Its still true even today
God bless this man. It’s disgusting that these brave heroes had to overcome racism when they got home too even though they saved the world and the country. I’m glad that they are able to share their story so that way we can honor them and give them the respect they deserve. Thank you sir!
Makes me mad what these guys went through to get recognition. These guys fought and loved their country when their country didn’t want them. Now it’s reverse can’t get anyone to love their country.
“Weapons Meets Missions” aka Top Guns. Imagine doing all that in obsolete planes and outshining everyone. Then 40 odd years later hollywood make a movie called Top Gun and nowhere in the film are represented. Cold world
Their was no Top Gun until 1969. It's purpose was to improve the skills of F-4 pilots during the Vietnam war. Mr. Harvey took part in a competition in 1949. Their were 2 winners in this competition. The 332nd. Tuskegee Airmen who won the propeller class & the 4th. fighter group which won the jet competition. Their was no competition in 1950 because of the Korean war. Their was no lost trophy. Another myth. No one hid the trophy. It was found with many other trophy's near the Smithsonian Institution.
THE MISCONCEPTION OF THE HIDDEN TROPHY A popular story claims that when the Air Force held its first gunnery “Top Gun” meet in Las Vegas in 1949, the all-black 332nd Fighter Group defeated all the other groups, but because a black group won, the competition was discontinued and the trophy was hidden. Some sixty years later, the trophy was finally discovered, and the 332nd Fighter Group was recognized for this unique achievement. 83 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.84 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 artifacts. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. transferred some of its United States Air Force artifacts to the Air Force Museum. Among them was the trophy from the USAF gunnery meets in Las Vegas in 1949 and 1950. Years later, largely through the efforts of Zellie Orr, the trophy for the Air Force’s gunnery meets in Las Vegas in 1949 and 1950 was put on display as part of an exhibit to commemorate the achievements of the Tuskegee Airmen, since the 332nd Fighter Group was its most famous organization, although the 332nd Fighter Group was not the only group to win the trophy. 85 The gunnery meets at Las Vegas were discontinued not because a black group had won, but because the Korean War broke out in 1950, and the Air Force needed to deploy its best fighter groups to the Far East to take part in the conflict, which did not end until 1953. 17: THE MISCONCEPTION THAT THE OUTSTANDING WORLD WAR II RECORD OF THE TUSEKGEE AIRMEN ALONE CONVINCED PR
My grandfather reminding me once that, he cannot go into a restaurant, when he got back from WWII, if you Hispanic, black or any other origin of race, you were not permitted even though you were wearing a military uniform, so I can definitely coincide with this gentleman the same, this goes to sure, not even today this day, racism still exists, in one way or the other I’m glad that my grandfather is gone, but he did not see the insurrection of January 6, because he would’ve been heartbroken.
It sure was such a shame how they were treated back then because I'm my 20 years as a JAG lawyer they all wore green and bled red. That's the way it should be all the time
Anyone who think this still isn't relevant in the Air Force today is insane. I was stationed at Robin Air Force Base, GA from 2004 to 2009. In my unit we had the same stories. My Flight was dubbed the "midnight" flight. Obviously because we were mostly all black. We would have squadron competitions and we'd always dominate the "good ole boy" Flights, and they hated it. Despite all those good ole boys being totally incompetent in their jobs. They'd almost always receive unit awards and were fast tracked for promotions. This goes to show it doesn't matter how incompetent a white boy is. They'll never be able to live with someone who doesn't look like them being in charge. And we're dubbed "uppity" still to this day. When we showcase superior job knowledge.
Tuskegee airman. You meet anyone over 85 you better have some respect. Not only did he face this racist nonsense, he became a hero. These are heros. Not Caitlyn Jennifer.
Micah 2 1. WOE TO those who devise iniquity and work out evil upon their beds! When the morning is light, they perform and practice it because it is in their power. 2. They covet fields and seize them, and houses and take them away; they oppress and crush a man and his house, a man and his inheritance. [Isa. 5:8.]
The wheels of change turn slowly sometimes. Too slowly when it comes to racial equality in this country. We've actually come quite a ways. Someday all those who deny others their due rights will be dead and gone. We have a ways to go yet, obviously. But we as a society ARE changing our ways. Slow as it may be, there IS change happening.
A true hero and patriot in more ways than one. Racism is a stain on this country's history and the US military is one of the largest contributors to that stain. I never understood why a group of people "can't" be better and history is false. It should have been announced when the winner was known. We are all Americans and all citizens of this land of opportunity. A heart felt and sincere thank you and those you served with. www.nellis.af.mil/News/Article/284717/tuskegee-airmen-compete-win-1st-ever-weapons-meet-receive-recognition-46-years/
Thank you for your service. We cannot reverse the wrong-doings you and many others faced, but we can acknowledge them and work to make sure they are not to be repeated. 🫡
I met this gentleman on a cruise to Alaska. What an amazing life. It was a true honor to speak with Mr. Harvey.
James is 98 years old still kicking ass @ talking names thank u for your service 🙏
Outstanding. These men fought 2 wars at once. Talk about real heroes.
Great channel for the greatest generation of Americans. These men and women will never be replicated. Thanks again for sharing these stories. Should be required watching for every American
Ughg.mm.kkkki
J
Thanks for your service and thanks for sharing. My grandfather, grandmother, and mother all worked at the Republic Aircraft Plant in Evansville, Indiana during WW2, making the P47 fighter planes. I used to hear stories of how they labored to make the best possible planes for our airmen. I am sure that they would have been proud to know that their planes, although obsolete, in the hands of truly skilled airmen, bested the rest of the USAF in competition. I have heard anecdotes of how tough those planes were. God Bless you.
That’s a fine man right there. I can’t imagine those guys going thru that crap, knowing you are some of the best ever defenders of our country.
Thank-you for your service,and may God bless you!! Happy 100th birthday!!
His voice is so soft and smooth bless this man
What a Well Spoken Man, ....Thank You Sir..👍👍👍👍👍😁
Great video! We had the honor to interview Col. Harvey as well and he is the best!
You need a longer interview with this great man
you BRAVE BRAVE Men who sacrificed so much.thankyou for sharing your story and know that I and a lot of people are fully aware of your triumphs God bless you
As a combat infantry Marine I salute you and all the Tuskegee Airmen.
Thank you for your sacrifice
Lt. Col. Harvey, thank you endlessly for your service sir. Congratulations on your winning the first Top Gun event!! May God bless you always!! ✝️🇺🇸
WOW, what a story. 332 warriors every one, Top Gun for sure.
How sharp this guy still is. God bless you Sir
Thank you for sharing your inspiring story along with your service, sacrifice and courage for freedom 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 God Bless you Sir ❤️
What an amazing story, thank you sir
So proud of this part of US. Grateful, too, I should say.
Thank you for your service sir
For those who continue to find reason to belittle individuals such as this, recognize here that all of your efforts - eventually, are ineffectual. Men... like James Harvey lll - will surmount everything that you attempt to throw at them.
Theres a huge lesson here that people all over America should learn. Never generalize groups of people. Imagine how many more talented people could have made history if they weren't held back by a system designed to hold them down. Its still true even today
God bless this man. It’s disgusting that these brave heroes had to overcome racism when they got home too even though they saved the world and the country. I’m glad that they are able to share their story so that way we can honor them and give them the respect they deserve. Thank you sir!
🗽🇺🇸 AMERICA! 🇺🇸 🗽
Makes me mad what these guys went through to get recognition. These guys fought and loved their country when their country didn’t want them. Now it’s reverse can’t get anyone to love their country.
It truly is reverse. People trashing the country and acting like racism is the worst it's ever been.
He's such an "old fighter pilot" type.
Imagine setting someone up to fail because of your own insecurity and lack of skill and still losing.
TA had very good Pilots
Tuskegee Airmen. The trucker in me giggled reading your comment the first time.
Black white it don't matter a hero is a hero
Good video.
“Weapons Meets Missions” aka Top Guns. Imagine doing all that in obsolete planes and outshining everyone.
Then 40 odd years later hollywood make a movie called
Top Gun and nowhere in the film are represented.
Cold world
Unfortunately will probably never get full recognition for all they have done.
A true American patriot!!
Never piss off the 322nd
Their was no Top Gun until 1969. It's purpose was to improve the skills of F-4 pilots during the Vietnam war. Mr. Harvey took part in a competition in 1949. Their were 2 winners in this competition. The 332nd. Tuskegee Airmen who won the propeller class & the 4th. fighter
group which won the jet competition. Their was no competition in 1950 because of the Korean war. Their was no lost trophy. Another myth. No one hid the trophy. It was found with many other trophy's near the Smithsonian Institution.
THE MISCONCEPTION OF THE HIDDEN TROPHY
A popular story claims that when the Air Force held its first gunnery “Top Gun”
meet in Las Vegas in 1949, the all-black 332nd Fighter Group defeated all the other
groups, but because a black group won, the competition was discontinued and the trophy
was hidden. Some sixty years later, the trophy was finally discovered, and the 332nd
Fighter Group was recognized for this unique achievement.
83
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.84
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
artifacts. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington,
D.C. transferred some of its United States Air Force artifacts to the Air Force Museum.
Among them was the trophy from the USAF gunnery meets in Las Vegas in 1949 and
1950. Years later, largely through the efforts of Zellie Orr, the trophy for the Air Force’s
gunnery meets in Las Vegas in 1949 and 1950 was put on display as part of an exhibit to
commemorate the achievements of the Tuskegee Airmen, since the 332nd Fighter Group
was its most famous organization, although the 332nd Fighter Group was not the only
group to win the trophy.
85
The gunnery meets at Las Vegas were discontinued not because a black group had
won, but because the Korean War broke out in 1950, and the Air Force needed to deploy
its best fighter groups to the Far East to take part in the conflict, which did not end until
1953.
17: THE MISCONCEPTION THAT THE OUTSTANDING WORLD WAR II
RECORD OF THE TUSEKGEE AIRMEN ALONE CONVINCED PR
You Tube US Air Force 1st Annual Gunnery Meet, Las Vegas, Nevada (May 25, 1949
It was not top gun. Top Gun did not occur until 1969.
How can you find something that was not lost. I believe this guy 100 percent
My grandfather reminding me once that, he cannot go into a restaurant, when he got back from WWII, if you Hispanic, black or any other origin of race, you were not permitted even though you were wearing a military uniform, so I can definitely coincide with this gentleman the same, this goes to sure, not even today this day, racism still exists, in one way or the other I’m glad that my grandfather is gone, but he did not see the insurrection of January 6, because he would’ve been heartbroken.
Wow, I thought Top Gun was just a movie fiction.
It sure was such a shame how they were treated back then because I'm my 20 years as a JAG lawyer they all wore green and bled red. That's the way it should be all the time
Damn, that’s just wrong.
Anyone who think this still isn't relevant in the Air Force today is insane. I was stationed at Robin Air Force Base, GA from 2004 to 2009. In my unit we had the same stories. My Flight was dubbed the "midnight" flight. Obviously because we were mostly all black. We would have squadron competitions and we'd always dominate the "good ole boy" Flights, and they hated it. Despite all those good ole boys being totally incompetent in their jobs. They'd almost always receive unit awards and were fast tracked for promotions. This goes to show it doesn't matter how incompetent a white boy is. They'll never be able to live with someone who doesn't look like them being in charge. And we're dubbed "uppity" still to this day. When we showcase superior job knowledge.
Thank you for your service to this great country and sorry you had those experiences. I hope there are some good memories from that time as well
Tuskegee airman. You meet anyone over 85 you better have some respect. Not only did he face this racist nonsense, he became a hero. These are heros. Not Caitlyn Jennifer.
Micah 2
1. WOE TO those who devise iniquity and work out evil upon their beds! When the morning is light, they perform and practice it because it is in their power.
2. They covet fields and seize them, and houses and take them away; they oppress and crush a man and his house, a man and his inheritance. [Isa. 5:8.]
The wheels of change turn slowly sometimes. Too slowly when it comes to racial equality in this country. We've actually come quite a ways. Someday all those who deny others their due rights will be dead and gone. We have a ways to go yet, obviously. But we as a society ARE changing our ways. Slow as it may be, there IS change happening.
A true hero and patriot in more ways than one. Racism is a stain on this country's history and the US military is one of the largest contributors to that stain. I never understood why a group of people "can't" be better and history is false. It should have been announced when the winner was known. We are all Americans and all citizens of this land of opportunity. A heart felt and sincere thank you and those you served with.
www.nellis.af.mil/News/Article/284717/tuskegee-airmen-compete-win-1st-ever-weapons-meet-receive-recognition-46-years/
Thank you for your service. We cannot reverse the wrong-doings you and many others faced, but we can acknowledge them and work to make sure they are not to be repeated. 🫡