Delaware State University celebrated the remarkable legacy of Lt. Col. George Hardy, a highly decorated Tuskegee Airman, and veteran pilot, with a special renaming ceremony on Oct. 22 at the Delaware Airpark. One of the university’s Piper Arrow aircraft will now be called “Tall in the Saddle,” honoring Lt. Col. Hardy’s extraordinary courage and contributions to aviation history.
Lt. Col. Hardy, 99, who currently resides in Sarasota, Florida, could not attend the ceremony. However, his legacy inspires future aviators and reminds us of the barriers he helped break in the military.
As one of the first African Americans to fly for the United States in a military conflict, Lt. Col. Hardy played a pivotal role during World War II and later in the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He completed 21 combat missions during World War II, followed by 45 and 70 missions in Korea and Vietnam, respectively. He flew various aircraft, including P-51s, B-29s, and AC-119K Gunships.
In addition to his impressive flying career, Lt. Col. Hardy earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1957 and a Master of Science in Systems Engineering-Reliability in 1964, both from the U.S. Air Force Institute of Technology. His military accolades include a Distinguished Flying Cross, an Air Medal with 11 Oak Leaf Clusters, two Presidential Unit Citations, and a Congressional Gold Medal.
After serving 28 years in the military, Lt. Col. Hardy dedicated another 17 years to a successful career as a project manager for General Telephone & Electronics before retiring at age 64. Since relocating to Florida in 2003, he has advocated for military veterans, continuing to engage with his community through civic and public engagements.
DSU President Tony Allen emphasized the significance of recognizing Black institutions and individuals during the ceremony. “We need to treat Black institutions and Black people with the level of distinction that we deserve,” said Allen. “And certainly, Lt. Col. Hardy is that person.”
Robert D. Bowie, board chairman of Legacy Bridges, highlighted the broader impact of Lt. Col. Hardy’s contributions. “The efforts and accomplishments of Lt. Col. Hardy and his fellow Tuskegee Airmen opened the doors for people of color,” Bowie stated. “I would suggest that the Tuskegee Experiment contributed to the desegregation of the U.S. military and federal government.”
