Lt. Col. Lee Archer died Jan. 27, 2010, at the age of 90. He was a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen
and flew some 169 combat missions during World War II.
(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christine Jones)
Posted on 01/29/2010 3:47:37 PM PST by SandRat
1/29/2010 - SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) -- Lt. Col. Lee Archer, a World War II fighter pilot with the Tuskegee Airmen, died Jan. 27 at the age of 90. He died of coronary complications at New York Hospital in New York City.
Colonel Archer entered the Army in November 1941 and received training as a telegrapher and field network-communications specialist. In December 1942, he was accepted into aviation cadet training and reported to the Tuskegee Army Airfield in Tuskegee, Ala.
On July 28, 1943, after graduating number on in his class and receiving his commission as a 2nd lieutenant, he was assigned to the 302nd Fighter Squadron under the 332nd Fighter Group. The group was transferred to Italy during World War II.
Colonel Archer flew 169 combat missions, flying cover and escorting long-range bombers over more than 11 countries, as well as strafing missions against enemy landing zones and troops on the ground.
Colonel Archer held numerous post-war leadership and staff positions including chief of protocol for the French Liaison Office, Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe; White House Air Force-France project officer; chief or executive officer of three international military organizations including the SHAPE Liaison Office, the 36th North American Air Defense Division and Headquarters U.S. Air Force Southern Command in Panama.
Colonel Archer enjoyed continuing success in civilian life, as vice president for urban affairs at General Foods Corporation; CEO of North Street Capital Corp.; and chairman of Hudson Commercial Corp. He also served on the Board of Directors of Beatrice International Foods and the Institute for American Business, a General Motors Venture Capital Subsidiary.
He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross and received special citations from Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy and Johnson, along with the Director of the CIA. Archer retired as a lieutenant colonel after 29 years of service and resided in New Rochelle, N.Y.
Lt. Col. Lee Archer died Jan. 27, 2010, at the age of 90. He was a member of the famed Tuskegee Airmen
and flew some 169 combat missions during World War II.
(U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Christine Jones)
I saw their memorial at Arlington. May he rest in peace.
I saw one recently on “The Military Channel” and was pleasantly surprised. He was relaxed, easy going and seemed somewhat conservative. He also surprised me by knowing his stuff.
I honestly expected some rap spewing weirdo who had been given the affirmative action treatment and was full of hatred toward this country.
I really think that guy would have been a fine pilot and soldier.
Thank you Col Archer. God rest you.
Godspeed Col. Archer from the proud son of another Mustang driver.
If you know any WW2 vets, now is the time to visit them with your kids or grandkids and hear some of our country’s most important history from the lips of those who made it. Every single day we lose more of these brave warriors who saved civilization.
RIP.
Rest in peace Colonel, you’ve been promoted
Lamh Foistenach Abu!
Rest in peace Colonel. Thank you for my freedom.
May God bless you and receive you, Colonel Archer!
Amen from the stepson of a member of the Mustang development team.
Thank you Col. Archer for your service to our country. Rest in Peace.
This old sailor SALUTES you!
Toward FREEDOM
They set a record that will never be equaled. No aircraft so magnificent has ever been produced in so short a time.
-ccm
God will bless Him.
Thank you for your service.
May you rest in peace.
JJ
Your legacy lives on.
That's my dad on the nose next to the prop. RAF 19 Sqdn. They were flying P-51 D's out of Peterhead, Scotland, towards the end of the war. Mostly it was shooting up shipping along the Norwegian coast, with occasional dogfights.
He also flew Spitfires and Hurricanes.
-ccm
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