HR 267 — A Resolution designating June 8, 2025, as "Lieutenant Colonel George Hardy Day" in Pennsylvania, honoring Lieutenant Colonel George Hardy's military service and recognizing him as a decorated veteran, community leader and enduring symbol of courage.

PRINTER'S NO.    1967

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



              HOUSE RESOLUTION
                 No. 267
                                                 Session of
                                                   2025

     INTRODUCED BY FIEDLER, J. HARRIS, N. NELSON, McCLINTON, McNEILL,
        WAXMAN, VENKAT, HILL-EVANS, T. DAVIS, HADDOCK, GUENST,
        PIELLI, HOHENSTEIN, SANCHEZ, GIRAL, MERSKI, HANBIDGE, COOK,
        BURGOS, MENTZER, GALLAGHER, HARKINS, D. WILLIAMS, JAMES AND
        O'MARA, JUNE 20, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON VETERANS AFFAIRS AND EMERGENCY
        PREPAREDNESS, JUNE 20, 2025


                                  A RESOLUTION
 1   Designating June 8, 2025, as "Lieutenant Colonel George Hardy
 2      Day" in Pennsylvania, honoring Lieutenant Colonel George
 3      Hardy's military service and recognizing him as a decorated
 4      veteran, community leader and enduring symbol of courage.
 5         WHEREAS, Lieutenant Colonel George Hardy was born in South
 6   Philadelphia and celebrated his 100th birthday on June 8, 2025;
 7   and
 8         WHEREAS, Lt. Col. Hardy is the last surviving member of the
 9   United States Army Air Corps 99th Pursuit Squadron activated
10   during World War II as the first African American fighter
11   squadron, commonly known as the Tuskegee Airmen, whose courage,
12   dedication and service continues to inspire both military
13   personnel and civilians of all backgrounds throughout this
14   country; and
15         WHEREAS, Lt. Col. Hardy is a proud alumnus of South
16   Philadelphia High School who, as a student, aspired to become an
17   engineer; and
 1         WHEREAS, Lt. Col. Hardy received a Bachelor of Science in
 2   Electrical Engineering, Master of Science in Systems
 3   Engineering-Reliability from the United States Air Force
 4   Institute of Technology and an Honorary Doctor of Public Service
 5   from Tuskegee University; and
 6         WHEREAS, Upon completion of his basic training at Keesler
 7   Army Airfield in Biloxi, Mississippi, Lt. Col. Hardy completed
 8   his pilot training at the Tuskegee Institute, earning his wings
 9   in September 1944; and
10         WHEREAS, Assigned to serve in the 99th Fighter Squadron,
11   332nd Fighter Group (P51- Mustang Aircraft) stationed in Italy,
12   where between February 1945 and September 1945, Lt. Col. Hardy
13   flew 21 combat missions, many of which were high altitude
14   missions escorting bombers over Germany; and
15         WHEREAS, Following the conclusion of World War II, Lt. Col.
16   Hardy returned to the Tuskegee Institute to train student pilots
17   until the closure of the Tuskegee Army Airfield in 1946; and
18         WHEREAS, After attending New York University's School of
19   Engineering, Lt. Col. Hardy returned to active-duty service in
20   1948 as part of the Strategic and Tactical Field Team within the
21   United States Air Force; and
22         WHEREAS, Between 1948 and 1950, Lt. Col. Hardy was deployed
23   to the United States territory of Guam as a member of the 28th
24   Bomb Squadron of the 19th Bomb Group of the United States Air
25   Force, flying as a copilot in a combat crew on B-29 aircrafts;
26   and
27         WHEREAS, During the Korean War from 1950 to 1953, the 19th
28   Bomb Group received a transfer to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa,
29   Japan, during which Lt. Col. Hardy flew 45 missions over North
30   Korea; and

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 1         WHEREAS, During the Vietnam War from 1969 to 1971, Lt. Col.
 2   Hardy was deployed with the 18th Special Operations Squadron to
 3   Phan Rang Air Base in South Vietnam serving as a Detachment
 4   Leader for Squadron aircraft located at Udorn Air Base in
 5   northern Thailand; and
 6         WHEREAS, During his deployment to Vietnam as Aircraft
 7   Commander on AC 119 K gunships, Lt. Col. Hardy flew 70 combat
 8   missions over North Vietnamese supply routes in Cambodia and
 9   Laos; and
10         WHEREAS, Lt. Col. Hardy retired from the United States Air
11   Force after 26 years of active duty service in November 1971;
12   and
13         WHEREAS, In recognition of his outstanding service to his
14   country, Lt. Col. Hardy received the Distinguished Flying Cross,
15   the Air Medal with 11 oak leaf clusters, the Congressional Gold
16   Medal and two Presidential Unit Citations; and
17         WHEREAS, Lt. Col. Hardy continues to bring national attention
18   to the racial discrimination Tuskegee Airmen and other enlisted
19   people of color endured under segregation policies, which
20   persisted until July 1948 when President Harry S. Truman issued
21   Executive Order 9981 mandating the desegregation of the United
22   States Armed Forces; and
23         WHEREAS, Lt. Col. Hardy inspires national awareness around
24   commemorations of the Tuskegee Airmen and their sacrifices
25   through advocacy and historical projects; and
26         WHEREAS, Lt. Col. Hardy is a cherished mentor to countless
27   aspiring pilots, sharing his experience and knowledge to build
28   confidence in these pilots to rise above challenges to achieve
29   their aspirations; and
30         WHEREAS, Lt. Col. Hardy is an exemplary citizen who continues

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 1   to serve his community by volunteering at St. Wilfred Episcopal
 2   Church of Sarasota, Florida, and Coleman Knott Food Pantry; and
 3      WHEREAS, Lt. Col. Hardy is a devoted husband, father,
 4   grandfather, cousin, uncle, friend to many and hero to all;
 5   therefore be it
 6      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the
 7   Commonwealth of Pennsylvania designate June 8, 2025, as
 8   "Lieutenant Colonel George Hardy Day" in Pennsylvania, honor
 9   Lieutenant Colonel George Hardy's military service and recognize
10   him as a decorated veteran, community leader and enduring symbol
11   of courage; and be it further
12      RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
13   Lieutenant Colonel George Hardy at 6718 Willow Pond Lane,
14   Sarasota, FL 34240.




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