During his time with the groundbreaking World WAR II aviation unit, Willie Rogers was largely based on the ground in logistics. He was so “low-key” about it and so rarely talked about it with others that some close to him did not even know of his participation.

He passed away at age 101 in St. Petersburg, Florida, where he had lived for the past 50 years, CBS Tampa affiliate WTSP reported.

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Rogers was drafted into the Army in 1942. He was part of the 100th Air Engineer Squad, and also served with the Red Tail Angels, according to the CBS report.

He received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2007 from President George W. Bush.

Every Sunday, he walked to church at Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in St. Petersburg.

During World War II, the U.S. military chose Tuskegee Institute to train pilots because of its facilities, engineering, and technical instructors, as well as a year-round flying climate, CBS noted. “The first civilian pilot training program students completed their instruction in May 1940. The Tuskegee program was then expanded and became the center for African-American aviation during the war.”

While they faced discrimination, the Tuskegee Airmen were among World War II’s most respected fighter squadrons. The Airmen’s success during World War II — not losing a single bomber to the enemy in over 200 combat missions — is a record unmatched by any other fighter group, CBS and other outlets noted.

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