SEATTLE, May 21, 2023
/PRNewswire/ -- With a patriotic salute and special celebration,
Princess Cruises today welcomed one of the few surviving Tuskegee
Airmen onboard Discovery Princess in Seattle as he arrived for his celebratory
cruise to Alaska, marking an early
commemoration for his 100th birthday. Lieutenant Colonel
James H. Harvey III, retired United
States Army Air Corps and Air Force officer (USAF), shattered
racial barriers in the military as a part of a group of African
American pilots who served their country with legendary distinction
during World War II.
To honor Harvey, the McChord Field Honor Guard welcomed him and
his family aboard Discovery Princess with a USAF traditional
display of presenting colors. Topping out the festivities, the
Discovery Princess crew presented Lt Col Harvey with a birthday
cake while hundreds of the ship's company joined in wishing him a
happy birthday.
"It's our sincere honor to celebrate the 100th
birthday of Lieutenant Colonel Harvey III, a trailblazer, hero, and
real 'Top Gun,'" said John Padgett,
Princess Cruises president. "His life and legacy should remind
everyone the power of courage, determination, resilience and the
American spirit. From all of us at Princess Cruises, we salute Lt.
Col. Harvey and wish him a very happy 100th
birthday!"
Born in Montclair, New Jersey
on July 13, 1923, Harvey is a former
fighter pilot with the 332nd Fighter Groups
99th Squadron, best known as the Tuskegee Airmen,
"Red Tails," one of 1,007 documented
pilots trained for aerial combat during World War II. He is best
known as the first African American USAF jet fighter combat pilot
to fight in the Korean War and flew 140 missions from 1949 to 1950.
Harvey, along with every member of the Tuskegee Airmen, received
the Congressional Gold Medal in 2006.
In addition, Harvey won the USAF's very first "Top Gun"
competition in 1949, when he and his team lead a grueling 10-day
event comprised on aerial gunnery at 20,000 and 12,000 feet, dive
bombing, skip bombing, rocketing firing and panel
strafing.
After serving a combined 22 years (1943-1965) in the United States Army Air Corps and the
United States Air Force, Harvey retired and joined Oscar Mayer as a corporate salesman and settled
his family of four girls in Denver, where he still resides.
During the voyage Harvey will share insights from his storied
service and remarkable life experiences with other guests as part
of a scheduled onboard discussion. Discovery Princess is currently
sailing on weeklong, roundtrip cruises from Seattle to Alaska, departing every Sunday through
September.
Images can be found here. B-roll, including soundbites from
Harvey and footage of McCord Field Honor
Guard can be found here.
About Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises is The Love Boat, the world's most iconic cruise
brand that delivers dream vacations to millions of guests every
year in the most sought-after destinations on the largest ships
that offer elite service personalization and simplicity customary
of small, yacht-class ships. Well-appointed staterooms, world class
dining, grand performances, award-winning casinos and
entertainment, luxurious spas, imaginative experiences and
boundless activities blend with exclusive Princess MedallionClass
service to create meaningful connections and unforgettable moments
in the most incredible settings in the world - the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera,
Europe, South America, Australia/New
Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia,
Canada/New
England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. The company is part of
Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE:CUK).
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SOURCE Princess Cruises