Michael Bennet: “I rise to honor LTC James Harvey III, a Tuskegee Airman and decorated fighter jet pilot in celebration of his 100th…”

“I rise to honor LTC James Harvey III, a Tuskegee Airman and decorated fighter jet pilot in celebration of his 100th birthday on July 13, 2023. Lieutenant Colonel Harvey flew as part of the 99th Fighter Squadron in World War II before becoming the first African-American U.S. Air Force pilot to fly in Korean airspace during the Korean war. The U.S. Army was segregated when Lieutenant Colonel Harvey joined in 1943, but his perseverance and heroism, both at home and in the skies, continue to inspire us all. Lieutenant Colonel Harvey excelled in high school as senior class president and valedictorian. Drafted in April 1943, he was initially assigned to the U.S. Army Air Corps as an engineer. It was there, on a train bound for Fort Meade, he first encountered prejudice and discrimination. While in the Army, he worked to carve airstrips out of jungle terrain before applying for cadet training. He later received his wings and commission in 1944 at Tuskegee Army Air Field. From there, Lieutenant Colonel Harvey was assigned to the 332nd Fighter Group's 99th Fighter Squadron, where he served as one of the original members of the ``Tuskegee Airmen.'' The 332nd Fighter Group was noted as one of the Army Air Forces' most successful and most-decorated escort groups and helped encourage the eventual integration of the U.S. Armed Forces. Lieutenant Colonel Harvey's skill stood out even among those decorated pilots.…”