[3] One of the most famous of the Tuskegee Airmen, Deiz is best known as the face of the popular 1943 “Keep Us Flying” World War II War Bonds poster created by Betsy Graves Reyneau, a white artist known for her portraits of prominent African Americans that circulated as part of the Harmon Foundation's traveling exhibition in the 1940s.
[12] On September 6, 1942, Deiz graduated from the Tuskegee Flight School's Single Engine Section Class SE-42-H, earning his wings and a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant.
[19] On January 27, 1944, Deiz shot down an enemy German Focke-Wulf Fw 190, earning his first kill as a combat fighter pilot.
[20][21] The next day, Deiz earned his 2nd kill after shooting down another enemy German Focke-Wulf Fw 190.
[15] Deiz served as a model for the popular 1943 “Keep Us Flying” World War II War Bonds poster created by Betsy Graves Reyneau, a white artist known for her portraits of prominent African Americans that circulated as part of the Harmon Foundation's traveling exhibition in the 1940s.
[24][25] Originally, Reyneau was in Tuskegee to create a portray of famed scientist George Washington Carver.
[31] In 1961, Deiz retired from the U.S. Air Force in Columbus, Ohio, with the rank of Major after 20 years in the military.