Lee Archer (pilot)

For other people named Lee Archer, see Lee Archer (disambiguation).
Lee Andrew Archer, Jr.
Lee Archer in World War II
Nickname(s)Buddy
Born(1919-09-06)September 6, 1919[1]
Yonkers, New York
DiedJanuary 27, 2010(2010-01-27) (aged 90)[2]
Manhattan, New York City, New York
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service / branch United States Army Air Forces
 United States Air Force
Years of service1941–1970
RankLieutenant colonel
Unit332nd Fighter Squadron
Tuskegee Airmen
Commands7416th Material Squadron
Battles / warsWorld War II
Korean War
AwardsDistinguished Flying Cross
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Medal (9)
Air Force Commendation Medal (2)
Congressional Gold Medal

Lee Andrew Archer, Jr. (September 6, 1919 – January 27, 2010) was an African American fighter Ace in the 332nd Fighter Group, commonly known as the Tuskegee Airmen, during World War II. He was one of the first African American military aviators in the United States Army Air Corps, the United States Army Air Forces and later the United States 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. Archer claimed and was credited with five enemy fighter aircraft shot down making him an Ace.[3]

Archer was one of only four Tuskegee Airmen to have earned three aerial victories in a single day of combat: Joseph Elsberry, Clarence Lester, and Harry T. Stewart Jr.[4][5]

  1. ^ "National Visionary Leadership Project: Lee Archer." visionaryproject.com. Retrieved: December 26, 2012.
  2. ^ "Former Tuskegee Airman, 90, dies in NYC." Atlanta Journal-Constitution, January 28, 2010.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference AFCentral was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Tuskegee Airmen. "LEGACY - THE PEOPLE." https://tuskegeeairmen.org/legacy/the-people/
  5. ^ "The Tuskegee Airmen: 5 Fascinating Facts". HISTORY. 2023-02-02. Retrieved 2023-12-03.