By Larry Davis
and Mike O’Connor
D-Day participant Richard V. Stewart, 102, of Paddock Hills, is one of only three African American veterans who are among a group of the Greatest Generation being flown to Normandy, France, in observance of the invasion’s 79th anniversary.
Capping the Memorial Day weekend was a ceremony honoring Stewart Tuesday morning at Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky International Airport before his flight to Atlanta to join other veterans, with a Cincinnati Mayoral Proclamation by Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney, tributes from other dignitaries and veterans, and a letter of appreciation from Brigadier General Jeffrey W. Foley, Ret., U.S. Army Signal Corps.
In Atlanta, he joined other D-Day veterans from across the country for their charter flight to Normandy, France, to take part in observances of the invasion’s 79th anniversary.
Cincinnati Vice Mayor Jan-Michele Lemon Kearney will proclaim May 30, 2023, as “Richard V. Stewart Day” in the Queen City.
Also taking part will be Steve Lee, Civilian Aide to U.S. Secretary of the Army Christine E. Wormuth, as well as retired U.S. Navy Capt. Steve Drefahl, who is a past president of both the Greater Cincinnati Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America and the Cincinnati Council of the Navy League.
Lee will read a letter of appreciation for Stewart from retired Brigadier General Jeffrey W. Foley, of the U.S. Army Signal Corps. A time-honored military tradition – the presentation of a Challenge Coin – also will be renewed.
Stewart, of Paddock Hills, is among a group of D-Day veterans being flown to Normandy by the nonprofit Best Defense Foundation, in partnership with Delta Airlines and Michelin North America, Inc.
Stewart is the oldest veteran in the group, as well as one of three African Americans, including a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen. He is the only Cincinnatian in the group.
As a member of the U.S. Army Signal Corps, Stewart was among only about 2,000 African American soldiers who took part in the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944.
Stewart’s son Samuel, a veteran, is making the trip overseas.
In a WLWT-TV video, Samuel said he is proud to see his father honored the way he always deserved.
“If it weren’t for family and friends, I wouldn’t be able to make the trip,” Samuel said. “I think the most honoring thing for me is that he is 102 and has lived a great life.”
As a backup, Samuel will be there to salute his father and capture the special moments.
“For him to be blessed enough to go back to the battleground where he served, and maybe I’ll be able to document a little bit of that on my phone, and I’m proud of it,” Samuel said.
On Monday, inside the Lincoln Heights Memorial Day Ceremony, he said, “I’m so thankful that the Lord looked me over and brought me back all in one piece and all in one mind,” Stewart said.
Following the war, Stewart put his embalming license to work for a funeral home in Muncie, Indiana. He moved to Cincinnati in 1953 and worked for Houston and Sons Funeral Home. Soon after, he met his wife, Pauline, and had two children.
“The Lord cared for me and brought me back safe and sound,” Stewart said. “He is still caring for me now.”
The “Best Defense Foundation” and its partners sponsored the trip.