This auction is for the following Lt. Col. Lee Archer WWII ONLY Tuskegee Airman ACE PILOT SIGNED RARE CUT that was been mated with an unsigned 8x10 photograph. The black mat measures 11x14 inches.

PLEASE NOTE THAT LT. COL. LEE ARCHER IS ONE OF THE RAREST AUTOGRAPHS IN THE HOBBY FROM THE TUSKEGEE AIRMEN PILOTS. IT IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO LOCATE AUTHENTIC LT. COL. LEE ARCHER AUTOGRAPHS LIKE THIS ONE. THIS ITEM WOULD MAKE FOR A GREAT GIFT OR INVESTMENT.

On January 26th, 2024 Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg will be releasing what they have called the third instalment of “Band of Brothers.” The new twelve part mini-series will be titled “Masters of The Air” based on Donald Miller’s book by the same name.

Unlike autographs from Band of Brothers Easy Company veterans and the HBO Pacific veterans who were still with us when those mini-series were released. Sadly all of the veterans from the new Masters of The Air veterans passed away before the miniseries was completed.

Autographs for the actual veterans depicted the Masters of The Air passed away before the mini-series was completed. I have been completing historical and military autographs for the last 38 years and did obtain a hand of autographs from the veterans portrayed in the new mini-series Maters of The Air.

Lt. Col. Lee Archer (Deceased 2010) is the only WWII Ace Pilot from the legendary Tuskegee Airmen. He also flew during the Korean War, He is a recipient of the: Distinguished Flying Cross, Meritorious Service Medal, (9) Air Medal, (2) Air Force Commendation Medal and the Congressional Gold Medal. He was a Tuskegee African American fighter pilot 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 four enemy fighter aircraft shot down, though disputes regarding this record arose after his death. 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.

Born in, New York, Archer grew up in New York's Harlem neighborhood, later attending New York University. After graduation, he joined the United States Army in the hopes of becoming a pilot. At that time, the Army did not accept black pilots, so Archer was posted to a communications job as a telegrapher and field network-communications specialist in Georgia. When the Army's policy changed, he was accepted to the training program for black aviators at Tuskegee Army Airfield in Alabama, graduating first in his class, and one of only 994 black wartime pilots to graduate there. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant on July 28, 1943.

Archer is considered by some as the first and—as of 2010—only black U.S. pilot to earn an "ace" designation, for shooting down at least five enemy aircraft. However, during the war, Archer claimed, and was acknowledged to have shot down only four planes. Years later, Archer stated he and another pilot both claimed victory for shooting down a fifth aircraft, that he was credited for only one half the kill, and that half kill was later taken away. However, official records show no claim by Archer on the date in question. Archer's supposed ace status was mentioned in news articles through the time of his death, when it was stated as fact in several obituaries. The original records of his duty were clear. The discrepancy between these records and the later reporting has caused some controversy. Archer also destroyed six aircraft on the ground during a strafing mission in August 1944, as well as several locomotives, motor transports and barges.

While flying with the 302nd Fighter Squadron, as a combat pilot, nicknamed "Buddy", Archer flew 169 combat missions in the European Theatre of World War II, flying the Bell P-39 Airacobra, Republic P-47 Thunderbolt and North American P-51 Mustang fighter aircraft.Flying a P-51C fighter with the distinctive red tail of the 332nd Fighter Group, known collectively as the "Tuskegee Airmen", he scored his first victory, a Messerschmitt Bf 109 on July 18, 1944, over Memmingen, Germany. Archer is best remembered for his exploits of October 12, 1944. In the midst of a furious series of dogfights over German-occupied Hungary, he shot down three Hungarian Bf 109s over Lake Balaton, Hungary, in engagements that spanned only 10 minutes. 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 Stewart, Jr. Moreover, Archer was one of only nine 332nd Fighter Group pilots with at least three confirmed kills during World War II. When Archer returned home in 1945 as a recipient of the Distinguished Flying Cross, he found that nothing seemed to have changed in American society. "I flew 169 combat missions when most pilots were flying 50," Archer told the Chicago Tribune in 2004. "When I came back to the U.S. and down that gangplank, there was a sign at the bottom: ′Colored Troops to the Right, White Troops to the Left′."

Archer remained in the armed forces for a career as the United States Army Air Forces transitioned into the present day United States Air Force in 1947. He later flew missions during the Korean War, became a diplomatic officer at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe and then became the headquarters chief of the U.S. Air Force Southern Command in Panama, eventually retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1970.

THIS IS AN AUTHENTIC HAND AUTOGRAPHED CUT that was been mated with an unsigned in uniform 8x10 inch photograph perfect for framing. The black mat measures 11x14 inches. This is one of the last remaining autographs that I have available of him. I am close to being permanently sold out do not miss out on your chance to add this remarkable collectable to your collection. PLEASE NOTE this photograph was printed posted war. I ONLY SELL AUTHENTIC HAND AUTOGRAPHED MEMORABILIA. I do not sell reprints or facsimile autographs. When you bid on my items you get the real deal authentic hand autographed items. You will receive the same item that is pictured in the scan. If you have any questions feel free to e-mail me. I combine S&H when multiple items are purchased. I ship items internationally the price for international S&H varies by country. I currently have other rare autographed military and historical signed items available. Please take a look at my other auctions of rare military and historical autographed items.