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July 25, 2009, Captain
Bobby Charles Wilks was a pioneer in the United States Coast guard,
holding the distinction as the first African American Coast guard
aviator, the first African American to reach the rank Of captain in the
coast guard and the first African American to Command a coast guard air
station. He accumulated over 6,000 Flight hours in 18 different types of
aircraft. He was also the Coast guard project officer for the
procurement of the Sikorsky Hh-3 helicopter in the 1960s. Born 12 may
1931 in St. Louis, Missouri, he graduated from summer high school in
1947.
After receiving his Associates Degree from Stowe teachers college in St.
Louis, he was accepted into the U. S. Naval academy, and attended from
1950 to 1951, but returned to Stowe teachers college to complete his
Bachelor of Arts degree.
He then completed his
Masters degree in education from St. Louis University in 1954, and
following a year on the St. Louis board of education, he was selected
for, and attended, coast guard officer candidate school in New London,
Connecticut, earning his commission in 1956. His first Assignment was a
duty officer at coast guard group Baltimore, but He was soon accepted to
flight training and earned his aviator Wings. |
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Upon completing flight
training in 1957, he was designated as Coast Guard Aviator no. 735, and
was designated a coast guard Helicopter pilot two years later. He served
at a variety of coast Guard air stations, including San Francisco,
California, the Republic of the Philippines during the early stages of
the Vietnam War, Brooklyn, New York, Salem, Massachusetts, and barbers
point, Hawaii. He held command cadre positions at various units,
Including executive officer at air station Naples, Italy and coast Guard
support center, New York, culminating in a second assignment to air
station Brooklyn, New York, this time as commanding officer.
Capt Wilks also served in staff tours in the office of personnel, As
assistant cadet procurement officer where he was involved with Minority
recruiting for the coast guard academy, as chief of the Search and
rescue branch in the third coast guard district (new York), and finally
as the coast guard liaison to the department of Transportation/federal
aviation administration where he helped Implement search and rescue
operations and air traffic control Standard operating procedures.
While detailed to FAA, he served as Chairman for the helicopter
operations section of the national Airspace review, leading a team of
technical specialists from across the country, developing a plan to
guide the FAA on the way to successfully use helicopters in the United
States through the later part of the 20th century. Among his numerous
awards is the Air medal, earned for initiative, foresight and
aeronautical skill while attempting to rendezvous with a Russian vessel
120 miles east of Hilo, Hawaii in heavy weather.
His courage, sound judgment and Unwavering devotion to duty culminated
in the safe medical evacuation of the stricken master, thus saving the
mans life. Additionally, captain Wilks was twice recognized with the
Helicopter rescue award with the winged-s air rescue emblem for Courage
and skill while piloting a Sikorsky helicopter in air Rescue missions.
Other personal awards include the meritorious Service medal, the coast
guard commendation medal, the humanitarian Service medal, armed forces
expeditionary medal and national Defense medal, as well as the republic
of Vietnam campaign and Vietnam service medals. Captain Wilks retired in
1986 after 30 Years service in the coast guard and settled in Fairfax,
Virginia.
Throughout his life, he put service first, both to the nation and to the
coast guard. He leaves a tremendous legacy and will long be remembered
for his exceptional service as a pioneering Leader and aviator.
Capt Bobby C. Wilks, USCG past away on July 13, 2009, at the age of 78
due to complications from Parkinson's disease. |
