Retired Lt. Col. Howard L. Baugh, one of the famed World War II Tuskegee Airmen, died Aug. 23. He was 88. After graduating from Virginia State College, he entered the Army Air Force’s Tuskegee Airmen program and flew with the 99th Fighter Squadron, reports The Progress-Index. Baugh completed 135 combat missions, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross and four Air Medals. He retired from the service in 1967.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.