Lee A. Archer, Jr.Archer, Jr.Lee A.NYWorld War, 1939-1945Army Air Forces/Corps302nd Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter GroupLieutenant ColonelNorth Africa; Europe; Guam (Mariana Islands); Asia; Canal Zone, Panama; ItalyNoVeteran "I never thought about air-to-air combat as a big problem. I looked for it." (Video Interview, 1:05:14)Inspired by stories of WWI combat pilots dueling in the skies over Europe, Lee Archer yearned to fly in service of his country. He got his chance in World War II, though initially thwarted by the racial policies of the Armed Forces. Rejected by the Army Air Corps at the beginning of the war, Archer was invited in 1942 to join the Tuskegee Experiment to train African American men to fly. Tuskegee-trained pilots compiled a perfect record in escorting U.S. bombers over Europe, and Archer relished the opportunity to take on German planes. His confirmed four victories--three in one memorable day--attested to his skill and courage.Lee Archer [2004]Biography of Lee "Buddy" Archer, Tuskeegee AirmanBiography of Lee "Buddy" Archer, Tuskeegee AirmanVeterans History Project, American Folklife Center, Library of Congresshttps://memory.loc.gov/diglib/vhp/story/loc.natlib.afc2001001.44004/DLC-AFC2022-10-27loc.natlib.afc2001001.44004