Lee Archer

Who was Lee Archer?

Lee Andrew Archer, Jr. was a black U.S. fighter pilot in the African-American unit which became known as the Tuskegee Airmen. He was one of the first African-American military aviators in the United States Army Air Corps, the U.S. Army Air Forces and later the U.S. Air Force, eventually earning the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

During World War II, Archer flew 169 combat missions, including bomber escort, reconnaissance and ground attack, and is officially credited with four enemy fighter aircraft shot down.