STEPHENS COUNTY — A Toccoa native is being honored for his wartime heroics as his family mourns his passing.

The flag at Toccoa City Hall is flying at half-mast this week in honor of Lt. Col. LeRoy Roberts Jr., who served with the Tuskegee Airmen in World War II. He died Aug. 13 in Tacoma, Wash., at the age of 86.

Toccoa City Commissioner David Austin initiated the city’s gesture and said it is important to honor local heroes.

“This is part of Toccoa’s history, and I just thought that it would be nice to honor him,” Austin said. “We had a hero from right here in Toccoa …”

Roberts served as a fighter pilot in two wars. During World War II, he flew 42 missions against the Germans while serving with the 332nd Fighter Group in Italy. Then, during the Korean War he led 106 missions.

Roberts was the oldest of eight children and was born in Toccoa in Dec. 1921. His sister, Betty Henderson, still lives in Toccoa and volunteers at the Currahee Military Museum.

For his efforts, Roberts received the Distinguished Flying Cross with one cluster, the Air Medal with 11 clusters, and the Air Force Commendation with one cluster. In May 2007, the Tuskegee Airmen as a unit received the Congressional Gold Medal for their service and bravery during World War II. The Tuskegee Airmen was a group of black pilots who flew with distinction.