Willie Rogers, who was the oldest surviving member of the original Tuskegee Airmen, died at the age of 101.
Rogers was drafted in 1942 during World War II and became part of the 100th Air Engineer Squad. During his time with the famous Tuskegee Airmen, Rogers spent most of his service on the ground in logistics.
Never one to tout his own accomplishments, Rogers was quiet about his past with the famous air brigade, and even some members of his family didn’t know that he was a Tuskegee Airman, according to CBS Tampa affiliate WTSP.
During World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen were among the most respected fighter squadrons despite the fact that the military was segregated at the time. They had an impeccable record, flying more than 200 combat missions without losing a single plane to enemy fire. No other group was able to meet that record, and their success and fame continues to inspire even today.