Two men who together have fought in every national war since the 1940s will be on campus to speak this week.

In honor African-American Heritage Month, the office of Minority Affairs, Human Resources and ROTC will bring Lt. Col. James C. Warren and Lt. Col. Antoine Taylor to campus, said Major Mark Richards, assistant professor of military science.

Warren, an early black aerial pioneer who has fought in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam will speak at 7 p.m. in the University Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union.

Warren’s speech, titled “Then and Now,” will primarily focus on the founding of the original Tuskegee Airmen and the challenges and adventures they experienced, Richards said.

Warren will speak again and will be joined by Taylor for a “Before and After” discussion at 3:30 p.m. Thursday in the Physical Sciences Building, Phipps Lecture Hall Room 121.

Warren is a highly decorated serviceman who entered active duty in March 1943. He then entered aviation cadet training at Tuskegee Army Air Field. He completed navigation training at Hondo, Texas. in August 1944, Richards said.

Warren served in World War II as a member of the 477th Bombardment Group, flying the B-25 Medium bomber. He was released from active duty a year after serving in WWII, but it was not the end of his military career, Richards said.

Warren was recalled into duty in March 1952 during the midst of the Korean War and flew 50 combat missions.

In 1967 he arrived in Vietnam and flew 124 combat missions, Richards said.

Warren retired from the United States Air Force on Nov. 1, 1978.

Taylor fought in Dessert Storm and is still actively serving in the army. He recently was decorated with the Bronze Star, a very prestigious military award, Richards said.

Richards was very excited about having Warren, whom he called a “more seasoned warrior” and Taylor, whom he called a “new warrior” speak.

“(Warren and Taylor) will give a unique perspective from two guys who have fought in all of our nation’s battles since the 1940s,” Richards said.

Lt. Col. Larry Sefren, chairman of the Department of Military Science, said he was excited about Warren and Taylor coming to the university.

“I’m exceptionally proud about the military’s leading the desegragation in the early 1950’s,” Sefren said. “The environment within the military is one in where minorities are treated on their abilities and not their ethnicity.”

Sefren said his children have grown up all over the world in military settings, and because of that, he said, “They are the most non-prejudiced individuals I know. “Military units across the world have people working next to each other from all walks of life, races, religions and both sexes,” Sefren said.