Bobby Wilks

[3] 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.

[1][2] He attended Stowe Teachers College (now Harris-Stowe State University) in St. Louis for two years, and then he was accepted into the U.S.

He was promoted to the rank of captain in 1977 and two years later assumed the command of Coast Guard Air Station Brooklyn.

[4] Captain Wilks retired from the Coast Guard in 1986 with over 6,000 flight hours in 21 different types of aircraft.

LT Bobby C. Wilks, USCG, about 1960
Commander Bobby Wilks at the controls of his helicopter, AIRSTA Barbers Point, Hawaii, 1971
Funeral of Bobby Wilks at Arlington National Cemetery (September 29, 2009)