Lt. Nathaniel C. Stewart (1922-2000)
Class 43-J-SE on November 3, 1943, 2nd Lt. from Philadelphia (0814840)
Lt. Nathaniel Stewart was a charter member of the Greater Philadelphia Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen
Nathaniel Stewart, born on July 8, 1922 in Ft. Motte, S.C. to Willie and Emily Stewart. He served his country in World War II as Tuskegee Airman, rank of Second Lieutenant in 99th Pursuit Squadron. He served as a fighter pilot for the U.S. Army Corps’ 553rd Fighter Squadron in Selfridge, Michigan, 1942-1946. Nathaniel once survived a plane crash, while serving in the military. His parachute was donated by his family, to the African American Historical Museum in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
He was an integral part of the successful effort that fought and defeated foreign fascism and racial segregation in the United States military. After his discharge from the Corps in 1946, he went to work at the Philadelphia General Hospital as a staff pharmacist. Once promoted to Director of Pharmacy, he was designated as the first African American to hold a senior administration position at the hospital. Nathaniel was a Lifetime Member of the Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. Mr. Stewart passed away on April 6, 2000 at 77 years of age.
His wife, Viola DuVall Stewart, also made history in educational justice in the state of South Carolina in 1945, when her equalization pay case became the law. He and his wife supported Dr. Martin L. King by attending the ” I Have A Dream Speech”. A Congressional Record was bestowed in their honor, in 2010, by Honorable Congressman James Clyburn. The Stewarts were bestowed the honor by being presented in the State of South Carolina Department of Education African American Calendar, year 2020. Nathaniel and Viola Stewart had two sons, Dr. Louis Stewart and Nathaniel Stewart, Jr., and five grandchildren.
Nathan and his loving wife enjoyed touring the world together, in later years. He adored his sons and grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He had an affectionate sense of humor and was the best barbecue grill master ever! Lt. Stewart is buried in Chelten Hills Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA.
