Bobby Wilks

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.

Captain Wilks saw distinguished service at several Coast Guard Air Stations during his career, including oversea tours of duty at Coast Guard Air Detachment Sangley Point, Philippines and at Naples, Italy, participating in many search-and-rescue (SAR) cases, including one in which he earned the Air Medal. He was promoted to the rank of captain in 1977 and two years later assumed the command of Coast Guard Air Station Brooklyn.