Bobby Wilks

African American aviator (1931-2009) Date Of Birth : 1931-05-12T00:00:00Z Date Of Death : 2009-07-13T00:00:00Z

Bobby Charles Wilks (May 12, 1931 – July 13, 2009), was an American Coast Guard aviator. He was the first African American Coast Guard aviator and the first African American to reach the rank of Coast Guard captain. Captain Wilks, who also was the first African American to command a Coast Guard air station, was involved in a number of air-sea rescues around the world. He received the Air Medal for his actions on the night of December 9, 1971, while piloting his helicopter over the Pacific Ocean.

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