The Real Top Gun

For persons who are fans of the movies “Top Gun” and “Top Gun: Maverick,” here is a little bit of real history. The first “Top Gun” Competition was held in 1949. The white pilots competed with the latest state of art aircraft, while the African American pilots were forced to compete with the much older, outdated planes. After three days of competition, the Tuskegee Airmen team made up of: Captain Alva Temple, 1st Lieutenant Harry Stewart, 1st Lieutenant James Harvey, and 1st Lieutenant Halbert Alexander (alternate) were announced the winners. There was dead silence in the room. Not one of their white colleagues applauded this accomplishment. The victory was swept under the rug, and the trophy was not seen by the public for 55 years.

Members of the Team: Alva Temple was born in Carrollton, Alabama and studied Agricultural Education at Alabama A & M University. After college he went into the Army Air Corp and then to Tuskegee for Pilot Training. He graduated in class 43-G and subsequently assigned to the 99th Pursuit Squadron.1st Lieutenant Harry Stewart was born in Newport News, VA. and grew up in New York. 1st Lieutenant James Harvey was born in Montclair, NJ and raised in Station, PA. 1st Lieutenant Halbert Alexander was from Georgetown, IL.