Lt. Col. Harry T. Stewart, Jr.

The Tuskegee Airmen portraits were a gift to the Supreme Court of Ohio from the artist, Robert E. Tanner, in 2008. The five oil paintings are part of a 10-part body of work by the Delaware County artist. Robert Tanner combined his respect for the Tuskegee Airmen, his love of aviation, and his artistic talents to create the series of portraits showing the faces of men who helped change history. Tanner donated the paintings to the Supreme Court of Ohio in the hope the public would view them and remember a group of men who fought for the United States and contributed to the historic social change toward racial equality in America.

Harry T. Stewart Jr. was born in New York City. During World War II, Stewart decided to enlist as an aviation cadet in the U.S. Army Air Corps. He was awarded his pilot wings after completing flight training at Tuskegee Army Air Field. Stewart was commissioned to second lieutenant and sent to the 332nd Fighter Group in Italy. He flew 43 bomber escort missions in a P-51 Mustang. After the war ended, Stewart was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He attended New York University, where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering. Stewart retired from the Air Force Reserve with the rank of lieutenant colonel.