Youngest member of the Tuskegee Airmen dies at 100

SARASOTA, Fla. — Lt. Col. George Hardy of Sarasota, one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen , has died at 100.

According to the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. National Office, Lt. Col. Hardy was “the youngest Red Tail fighter pilot at 19 to fly his first combat sortie over Europe.”

Hardy passed away on Thursday.

While Hardy was the last surviving Tuskegee Airman who flew in combat, there are 13 remaining airmen who trained at Tuskegee but never saw combat, according to the president of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. National Office.

"His legacy is one of courage, resilience, tremendous skill and dogged perseverance against racism, prejudice and other evils. We are forever grateful for his sacrifice and will hold dear to his memory," the organization wrote in a post announcing Hardy's death. "Ou