AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. (AP) — The Air Force Academy is holding a funeral service for its first African-American graduate.

The service for Charles Vernon Bush will be held Saturday at 3 p.m. at the Memorial Pavilion.

Bush died Nov. 5 at his home in Lolo, Mont. at 72. He graduated with the class of 1963, four years after the school’s first commencement. He spoke Russian and Vietnamese and was responsible for the operation of six intelligence teams during the Vietnam War.

His decorations included the Bronze Star and the Joint Services Commendation medals.

After leaving the Air Force, he attended Harvard Business School and worked at companies including Merrill Lynch-White Weld Capital Group and Hughes Electronics.

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