Harold David Stewart

U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Harold David Stewart, a local native, WWII, Korean and Cold War veteran, passed away at 1:25 a.m. Monday, December 29, 2003, in San Antonio, Texas. He was born March 16, 1925, in Chartiers Township, a son of Wm. Taylor and Bertha Elmay Stewart. Lt Col Stewart was a graduate of California High School. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II, piloting a P-51 fighter aircraft on Iwo Jima. During his tour of duty he flew low-level cover for the Enola Gay that dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. His decorations include the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, four Air Medals, the Distinguished Flying Cross, the American Campaign Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal. Lt Col Stewart later commanded the 607th Air Control & Warning Squadron during the Korean War, one of the first active radar installations in South Korea. His decorations include the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Air Force Commendation Medal. Lt Col Stewart returned to flying duties in 1956 and advanced to the position of B-47 medium bomber Aircraft Commander. During the Cuban Missile Crisis , Lt Col Stewart and his three-man crew remained on the highest state of alert for all 13 days of the event. His decorations include the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Reserve Medal, and the Air Force Longevity Service Award with four Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters. After retirement in May 1965, Harold Stewart rose from salesman to State Director at Columbia National Life Insurance Company in Columbus, Ohio before the first of several strokes ended his business career in 1972. On May 4, 1955, he married Mary Mae Carroll, a Washington native, who preceded him in death September 27, 1994. Surviving are two sons, James David Stewart of San Antonio, TX and George Allen Stewart of Las Vegas, NV; one daughter, Susan Helene Peugh of Memphis, TN; five grandchildren, Paul David and Kimberly Susan Stewart, Michelle Denise Willis, Matthew Stewart Peugh, and Meri Kristine Stewart; and one great-grandchild, Cameron Michael Willis. Harold was the youngest of eight siblings. Preceded in death are Edith Josephine, Helen Elizabeth, James Taylor, Phillip, Lelah Kathyrn Fal, Charles Edgar, and Ruth Elmay. STEWART - Friends of Harold Stewart, a native of Chartiers Township, who died Monday, December 29, 2003, in San Antonio, TX will be received from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, January 2 in William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington. A Eulogy and Protestant Service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 3, with Air Force Chaplain Robert Mueller of Bolling AFB leading the service. Interment will follow in Washington Cemetery.