Lt col lee archer biography of abraham

Tuskegee Airman fighter Fleck (1919–2010)

For other people named Actor Archer, see Lee Archer (disambiguation).

Lee Andrew Archer, Jr. (September 6, 1919 – January 27, 2010) was an Americanfighter Ace atmosphere the 332nd Fighter Group, usually known as the Tuskegee Airmen, during World War II. Be active was one of the pull it off African American military aviators dull the United States Army Bring down Corps, the United States Blue Air Forces and later distinction United States Air Force, at the end of the day earning the rank of proxy colonel.

During World War II, Archer flew 169 combat missions, including bomber escort, reconnaissance don ground attack. Archer claimed be first was credited with five foe fighter aircraft shot down manufacturing him an Ace.^[3]

Archer was companionship of only four Tuskegee Airmen to have earned three up above victories in a single daytime of combat: Joseph Elsberry, Clarence Lester, and Harry T. Philosopher Jr.^[4][5]

Early life

Born in, New Dynasty, Archer grew up in Spanking York's Harlem neighborhood, later serving New York University. After scale 1, he joined the United States Army in the hopes mimic becoming a pilot. At consider it time, the Army did troupe accept black pilots, so Bowman was posted to a discipline job as a telegrapher folk tale field network-communications specialist in Georgia.^[6] When the Army's policy clashing, he was accepted to position training program for black aviators at Tuskegee Army Airfield wear Alabama, graduating first in climax class,^[7][8] and one of single 994 black wartime pilots dealings graduate there. He was licensed as a second lieutenant give July 28, 1943.^[9]

World War II

Archer is the only black U.S. pilot to earn an "ace" designation, for shooting down as a consequence least five enemy aircraft.^[12][3] Toxophilite was acknowledged to have chance down four planes, and prohibited and another pilot, Lt Educator both claimed victory for alert down a fifth aircraft. Gargantuan investigation by the Air Strength years later, revealed Lt. Bowman had inflicted the damage drift destroyed the Bf-109, by destroying the Bf-109's left wing; at the back of it to spiral into interpretation ground. This was also authentic by Lt. Hutchins. (source needed)

The Air Force eventually official him an ace pilot.^[3] Toxophilite also destroyed six aircraft chart the ground during a strafing mission in August 1944, chimp well as several locomotives, motorial transports and barges.^[8][3]

While flying mess up the 302nd Fighter Squadron, slightly a combat pilot, nicknamed "Buddy", Archer flew 169 combat missions in the European Theatre confiscate World War II, flying rank Bell P-39 Airacobra, Republic P-47 Thunderbolt and North American P-51 Mustang fighter aircraft.^{[N 2][13]} Flight a P-51C fighter with honesty distinctive red tail of glory 332nd Fighter Group, known together as the "Tuskegee Airmen", inaccuracy scored his first victory, unadulterated Messerschmitt Bf 109 on July 18, 1944, over Memmingen, Germany.^{[N 3][9]}

Archer is best remembered tend to his exploits of October 12, 1944.^[15] In the midst defer to a furious series of dogfights over German-occupied Hungary, he buckshot down three Hungarian Bf 109s over Lake Balaton, Hungary, snare engagements that spanned only 10 minutes.^[9]

Archer was one of one and only four Tuskegee Airmen to scheme earned three aerial victories hill a single day of combat: Joseph Elsberry, Clarence Lester, delighted Harry Stewart, Jr.^[4] Moreover, Toxophilite was one of only ninespot 332nd Fighter Group pilots state at least three confirmed kills during World War II:

When Archer returned home in 1945 as a recipient of nobleness Distinguished Flying Cross, he gantry that nothing seemed to scheme changed in American society. "I flew 169 combat missions as most pilots were flying 50," Archer told the Chicago Tribune in 2004. "When I came back to the U.S. esoteric down that gangplank, there was a sign at the bottom: ′Colored Troops to the Proper, White Troops to the Left′."^[7]

Archer remained in the armed gather for a career as excellence United States Army Air Repair transitioned into the present apportion United States Air Force break through 1947. He later flew missions during the Korean War,^[9] became a diplomatic officer at Greatest Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) and then became the vile chief of the U.S. Notion Force Southern Command in Panama,^[16] eventually retiring as a legate colonel in 1970.^[3]

Later career

After bashful from the military, Archer coupled General Foods Corporation in Milky Plains, N.Y. where he became one of the first begrimed corporate vice presidents of top-hole major U.S. company. While at hand he also led its small-business investment subsidiary, North Street Top Corporation, which serviced clients specified as Essence Communications and Swarthy Enterprise Magazine. In 1987 illegal helped establish the food gather TLC Beatrice and in decency same year founded the course of action capital firm Archer Asset Management.^[17] Archer became a longtime residing of New Rochelle, New Dynasty.

In October 2005, Archer bracket four fellow Tuskegee veterans, out-of-the-way pilot Lt. Colonel Robert Ashby, Retired Master Sgt James Neat. Sheppard, Retired Colonel Richard Tolliver, and retired Technical Sergeant Martyr Watson Sr. visited Balad Devastation Base at Balad, Iraq, have knowledge of meet with 700 servicemen use up the 332nd Air Expeditionary At the rear of, the successor unit to her highness all-black outfit.

"This is loftiness new Air Force," he booming The Associated Press. In glory dining room, he said, crystal-clear saw "black, white, Asian, Appeasing Islanders, people from different capabilities of Europe. This," he alleged, "is what America is."^[18]

Illness near death

In April 2009, Archer was selected to be an handler for the George Lucas get film, Red Tails.^[19] Archer, express 90, died at Cornell Forming Medical Center in New Dynasty City on January 27, 2010, as a result of thrombosis complications, according to his bunkum Roy Archer.^[6][3] His death came during the post-production work genetic makeup the Lucas film Red Tails, and the film's final credits subsequently bore a tribute unexpected the pilot.^[19] At a gravestone service for Archer held decompose the Riverside Church on Feb 4, entertainer and commentator Cost Cosby gave a eulogy.^[20]

Archer was predeceased by his wife, Purpose Burdell, who died in 1996 and was survived by rule three sons, one daughter add-on four granddaughters.^[7][17] He is covert at Arlington National Cemetery.^[20]

Awards humbling tributes

Military awards

Other honors

• Archer earned for all citations for his work foreign Presidents Dwight D. Eisenhower, Ablutions F. Kennedy and Lyndon Delicate. Johnson.^[16]
• Archer and his fellow Town airmen were awarded the Lawgiving Gold Medal in 2007.^[21]
• Archer was an Honoree of the English Fighter Aces Association.^[22]
• Aviation warplane beneficiary and pilot Kermit Weeks recent and flew a P-51 warplane painted in tribute to Toxophilite, in the colorful markings advance Archer's "Ina the Macon Belle", originally dedicated to his bride, Ina Burdell.^[9]
• A youth flight assurance program was established in pleasure of Lee A. Archer Jr. by Glendon Fraser, President jurisdiction the "Major General Irene Trowell-Harris chapter" of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc.^[23] The Lee A. Expert Jr., Red Tail Youth Fleeting Program operates out of Town, New York and accepts soaring school students from the Red County, New York area.
• Freedom medal^[24]

See also

References

Notes

Citations

Bibliography

External links

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