Lee Archer joined the army in November 1941. After basic training, he was sent to Macon, Georgia for infantry training and was shortly promoted to Acting Sergeant as an instructor.

In December 1942, Archer reported to Tuskegee Army Airfield as an Aviation Cadet, where he graduated at the head of his class on July 28, 1943. He is the only ace of the famed Tuskegee Airmen.

Archer was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant and then assigned to the 332nd Fighter Group, receiving advanced training before his group was transferred to Italy in January 1944. His first few months in Italy, Archer flew P-39s in ground support and patrol missions. The 332nd later received P-47 Thunderbolts and, finally, P-51 Mustangs.

In the P-51, Archer scored a total of five kills — three on one engagement on October 12, 1944. He flew a total of 169 missions and also destroyed six aircraft on the ground.

Archer was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal with 18 Clusters, the Distinguished Unit Citation and many other service medals. He retired from the Air Force in 1971.

Following 29 years of distinguished service, archer joined General Foods and was later named a Director. In 1973, he was appointed President of Vanguard Capital Corporation, a General Foods Small Business Investment Company, where he advanced to Chairman and CEO in 1974.

Archer was elected Corporate Vice President of General Foods in 1975 with additional responsibility as CEO of North Street Capital Corporation. He also assumed the title of Chairman and CEO of Hudson Commercial Corporation in 1980.

Since 1987, Archer has been Chairman and CEO of Archer Associates, LTD., a venture capital holding corporation. During this time, he also became co-publisher of Organization Publishing Company and a partner in Community Housing Corporation.

In 1996, he expanded his interests internationally and became Chairman of Independent Tobacco Leaf Sales, P/L of Zimbabwe, Africa.

Lee Archer serves on the Board of Directors of Beatrice International Food Corporation, TLC Financial Holdings, the Institute of American Business, Genuine Leaf Tobacco Export Corporation and InterCom Afrique Television.