Happy 4th of July!
This Fourth of July, as we celebrate the birth of our nation, we also take a moment to reflect on the sacrifices and service of those who helped defend its ideals. From the determined women of the Women’s Army Corps to trailblazing aviators like Lieutenant Colonel James Harvey III, these stories remind us that the freedoms we honor today were safeguarded by everyday Americans who answered the call. Their legacies remain a powerful part of our nation’s history.
Women In War
This week in history, on July 1, 1943, the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) was officially integrated into the United States Army. Originally established as the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) in May 1942, the formation marked a groundbreaking moment in American military history. Over 150,000 women volunteered to serve in vital non-combat roles, including mechanics, radio operators, air traffic controllers, and intelligence analysts—freeing up thousands of men for front-line duty. Despite facing skepticism at the start, WAC members earned widespread respect and played a critical role in the Allied war effort.
The push for women’s inclusion in the Army began with U.S. Representative Edith Nourse Rogers of Massachusetts. A longtime advocate for veterans, Rogers had visited military hospitals and witnessed firsthand the essential roles women filled during World War I. After observing how effectively British women served in uniform, she introduced a bill in May 1941 to establish a women’s auxiliary corps within the U.S. Army. Initially overlooked, her proposal gained traction after the attack on Pearl Harbor. President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the WAAC bill into law in May 1942, paving the way for American women to step into uniformed service for the first time.
Just over a year later, on July 1, 1943, the auxiliary designation was dropped and the WAAC became the Women’s Army Corps—an official and permanent part of the U.S. Army. This change not only reflected the growing necessity of women in uniform, but also granted WAC members full military status and benefits.
WACs served in nearly every theater of the war. From the deserts of North Africa to the beaches of Normandy and the jungles of the Pacific, they worked alongside male service members, often under dangerous and demanding conditions. A 60-woman platoon served near the front lines during the Italian campaign, while others arrived in Normandy just weeks after the D-Day landings. More than 400 WAC members also served with distinction in the highly classified Manhattan Project, where they supported one of the most consequential scientific efforts of the war. General Leslie Groves, head of the project, later praised them by saying, “Since you received no headline acclaim, no one outside the project will ever know how much depended upon you.”
By the end of World War II, over 140,000 women had served in the Women’s Army Corps, with 99,388 on active duty by the time of Germany’s surrender. Their service marked a major turning point in American military history and paved the way for future generations of women in uniform.
The WAC remained an active component of the U.S. Army until its disbandment on October 20, 1978, when women were fully integrated into regular Army units. The legacy of the Women’s Army Corps endures as a testament to the courage, skill, and determination of the women who stepped forward to serve when their country needed them most.
Honoring One Of The Last Remaining Tuskegee Airmen
This week in history, we revisit and honor the extraordinary legacy of Lieutenant Colonel James Henry Harvey III—one year after we first covered his remarkable life. As of July 2025, Harvey is 101 years old and remains one of the last living Tuskegee Airmen. A veteran of both World War II and the Korean War, Harvey’s 22-year career in the United States Army Air Forces and later the United States Air Force is marked by historic firsts, unwavering service, and a legacy that continues to inspire.
Born on July 13, 1923, in Montclair, New Jersey, Harvey grew up during the Great Depression and later moved with his family to Pennsylvania. Despite the era’s challenges, he excelled in school—becoming class valedictorian, senior class president, and a four-year captain of the basketball team. Harvey’s early life was shaped by perseverance and positivity, traits that would define his military service.
Though the war in Europe ended just as Harvey completed his combat training, his service would soon make history. In 1949, he and three fellow Tuskegee Airmen represented the 332nd Fighter Group in the inaugural “Top Gun” aerial weapons competition. Competing in events like aerial gunnery, dive bombing, and strafing, Harvey’s team outperformed all others and won the event. However, due to racial prejudice, their victory went unacknowledged for decades. It wasn’t until 1995 that the U.S. Air Force formally recognized their achievement, cementing Harvey’s place as the first official "Top Gun" winner in Air Force history.
Harvey would go on to serve with distinction during the Korean War as the first Black jet fighter pilot to fly in combat. On October 16, 1950, he led a mission over Yongsan, Korea, providing close air support under adverse weather conditions and successfully neutralizing an enemy encampment. For his actions, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and multiple Air Medals. Throughout the war, he would log numerous missions and earn ten Oak Leaf Clusters on his Air Medal.
Following Korea, Harvey continued to break barriers—serving as a test pilot, flight commander, safety officer, and Battle Staff Training Officer for the Commander of NORAD. He flew aircraft ranging from the P-51 Mustang and F-80 Shooting Star to the F-102 Delta Dagger. In 1961, after 22 years of military service, he retired with the rank of lieutenant colonel.
Over the decades, Harvey has been recognized for his trailblazing achievements. In 2007, he and all Tuskegee Airmen were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal for their groundbreaking role in shaping military integration and reform. His life has become a symbol of resilience, excellence, and dignity in the face of systemic discrimination.
Today, as we mark another year since our last tribute and celebrate his 101st birthday, we reflect not just on Harvey’s accomplishments but also on the urgency of remembering them. With so few WWII veterans still living, each passing year underscores the importance of preserving their stories. Lieutenant Colonel James Harvey’s legacy is not only one of aviation and combat excellence—it is a lasting testament to the courage, perseverance, and honor that defined a generation.
Did You Know?
The P-51 Mustang's incredible long-range capabilities, which allowed it to escort bombers deep into enemy territory, were largely due to its innovative fuel system. Besides its efficient engine, the Mustang could carry external "drop tanks" which were jettisoned after their fuel was used. Crucially, later versions also incorporated an additional large fuel tank in the fuselage behind the pilot. This combination of internal and external fuel capacity gave the P-51 a combat radius of well over 1,000 miles, making it a game-changer for daylight bombing campaigns.
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Thank you for tuning in to this week's coverage of what happened on the ground and the skies during World War II. We hope to see you again next week for even more incredible true stories. And as always, see you in the skies.
-TJ
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Looking for more WW2 history? Read our previous newsletters.
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On June 20, 1941, just months before America would enter the Second World War, the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) was officially established...
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This week in history, on the night of May 30, 1942, the Royal Air Force (RAF) launched one of the most ambitious bombing operations of the war: Operation Millennium. Targeting the German city...
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"Hitler knew I was coming. That's why he threw in the towel the following month of May." - James H. Harvey III
