by Dan Perkins

Every month, our nation loses men and women who served with such distinction during World War II.  Their generation has been called The Greatest Generation. People of color within that generation who served in the military deserve special recognition and praise because they fought two wars: one against the Axis powers abroad, and the other against racists at home.

Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Henry "Hank" Hervey was part of that generation, and on April 3, 2003, he passed away at Brentwood Rehabilitation Center near Chicago, IL.  He was a member of the illustrious group of African Americans who went to Tuskegee, Alabama to receive military aviation training.  At the time, the training was considered a "Great Experiment" because many in society and in the military did not believe African Americans could or should master military flight and operations.  The Tuskegee Airmen not only proved their detractors wrong, but they also served with distinction and made significant contributions to the war effort.

On May 4, 2003, a memorial service was held in Chicago to remember Mr. Hervey's life, his military accomplishments and his extensive contributions to Chicago's Black business community. Tributes were given by: Beverly Dunjill, President of the Chicago Chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, Jim Compton, President of the Chicago Urban League, Josephine Fulton of the Chicago NAACP, William Glynn of the Navy League of the United States, Colonel Eugene Scott of the National African American Military Museum, Alexander Robinson of the Frogs Club, and Charles Bowen from the Office of the Mayor of the City of Chicago.

Henry P. Hervey, Jr. was born September 3, 1922, in New Orleans, Louisiana.  In 1932, his parents moved to Chicago, Illinois where he completed his public school education and completed junior college in 1941.

He earned a pilot's license at Coffey School of Aviation in 1942 and successfully completed twin-engine pilot training at Tuskegee Army Airfield in 1943. After B-25 pilot training at Mather Field, in California, he was assigned to the 477th Bombardment Group (Medium) at Selfridge Field, in Michigan. He moved to Godman Field in Kentucky and served there in the 616th and later the 618th Bomb Squadrons of the 477th Composite Group. Including his active and Reserve time, he completed 28 years of military service and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1980.

Hank Hervey earned a BA in business administration from Northwestern University in 1949, and began a career in financial management. He was promoted to Vice President of Service Federal Savings. He later organized and became President of the Independence Bank of Chicago. He retired in 1996 after serving as an Investment Officer of the Chicago Metropolitan Assurance Company.

Hank Hervey was a charter member of the Chicago Chapter  of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.  He served with distinction as National Treasurer for 19 years (1975-1994) and was appointed Chairman of the National Convention Planning/Organization and Site Selection (CPOSS) Committee in 1998.  Members of the Chicago and Detroit Chapters of the Tuskegee Airmen paid their respects at the memorial service.

Hank Hervey was later laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.  He is survived by a daughter, Dianne Marie Hervey, who resides in Braintree, Massachusetts.

Click here to see a detailed biography of Hank Hervey.