Lee Archer, Pilot considered the only ace Tuskegee Airman Dies

NEW YORK -- Retired Air Force Lt. Colonel Lee A. Archer, a Tuskegee Airman considered to be the only black ace pilot who also broke racial barriers as an executive at a major U.S. company and founder of a venture capital firm, died Wednesday in New York City. He was 90.

His son, Roy Archer, said his father died at Cornell University Medical Center in Manhattan. A cause of death was not immediately determined.
The Tuskegee Airmen were America's first black fighter pilot group in World War II.

"It is generally conceded that Lee Archer was the first and only black ace pilot," credited with shooting down five enemy planes, Dr. Roscoe Brown Jr., a fellow Tuskegee Airman and friend, said in a telephone interview Thursday.

Pilot considered the only ace Tuskegee Airman dies - washingtonpost.com

 

Sad news indeed.

 

The Tuskegee Airman ace, Colonel Archer passes on, an amazing life. Salute.

NEW YORK – Retired Air Force Lt. Colonel Lee A. Archer, a Tuskegee Airman considered to be the only black ace pilot who also broke racial barriers as an executive at a major U.S. company and founder of a venture capital firm, died Wednesday in New York City. He was 90.
　
See:

Pilot considered the only ace Tuskegee Airman dies - Yahoo! News

 

Rest in Peace, Colonel Archer. You set a high bar indeed, sir!

 

Lt Col Archer was featured on this week's 'Last Word' - starts at 16 min 35 sec. Don't know if you can Listen Again in the States.

Steve W

 

R.I.P. Lee!

 

In the NY Times obit they describe LTC Archer as having shot down 4 German fighters, including 3 in one day. Surely a formidable feat. But only deep in the story did they say that only "ultimately" did LTC Archer claim a 5th uncredited victory.

The Wapo with the description of "considered the only" Tuskegee ace, and no mention of the actual official tally does a much less reliable job in reporting the facts.

Here is the NYT article:

Lee A. Archer Jr., Tuskegee Fighter Pilot, Dies at 90 - Obituary (Obit) - NYTimes.com

LTC Archer with his DFC and struggles to prevail in the face of racism of the times is a true hero, four victories or five.