Bobby Wilks

Biography

Bobby Wilks was a trailblazing Coast Guard aviator and the first African American to qualify as a helicopter pilot in the service. He spent a career marked by courage, skill, and a desire to open doors for others, flying search-and-rescue and humanitarian missions that saved countless lives.

Wilks’s leadership extended beyond the cockpit as he mentored young aviators and promoted diversity within the ranks. His family, colleagues, and the countless individuals aided by his flights remember him for his warmth, humility, and steadfast bravery.