Tuskegee Ace passes away

US Air Force image/Staff Sgt. Christine Jones

1 February 2010

Lt Colonel Lee Archer, one of the Second World War ‘Tuskegee Airmen’, has passed away.
 

January 27: Lt Colonel Lee Archer, perhaps the most famous of the Second World War ‘Tuskegee Airmen’, passed away through coronary complications at New York Hospital in New York City.

Born September 6, 1919 Archer joined the Army in November 1941, receiving training as a telegrapher and field network-communications specialist. His dream was to become a pilot, and in December 1942 was accepted into aviation cadet training, reporting to Tuskegee Army Airfield in Alabama.

Assigned to the 302nd Fighter Squadron under the 332nd Fighter Group, Archer flew 169 combat missions in the Mediterranean theatre, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross for his actions. He scored four confirmed air combat victories, but a second ‘kill’ on July 18, 1944 was never fully credited as it couldn't be confirmed at the time. Archer also destroyed six aircraft on the ground during a strafing mission in August 1944.

Colonel Archer held numerous post-war staff positions and had a successful post-service career in the food and finance industries.

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