DOTHAN, Ala. - Sherman Rose, who served as a flight instructor for the Tuskegee Airmen, has died. He was 88.

Rose died Wednesday at Southeast Alabama Medical Center, according to Sunset Funeral Home.

Rose was among the first African-Americans to receive pilot training as part of the U.S. government's Civilian Pilot Training Program, which led directly to the formation of the Tuskegee Airmen.

The Tuskegee Airmen were an all-black unit trained at Moton Field in Tuskegee, Ala., and helped break racial barriers while gaining fame escorting bombers in World War II.

Rose later worked as a flight instructor at Fort Rucker for 20 years, continuing to break down racial barriers.

A mural honoring Rose and the Tuskegee Airmen was completed in May 2001 and is located in downtown Dothan.