Funeral arrangements for retired U.S. Air Force Col. Fred Vann Cherry have been announced.

Cherry, a Suffolk native, was 87 years old and living in Maryland. He died Feb. 16.

Cherry was the first and highest-ranking black officer to become a prisoner of war in Vietnam. He was held in captivity for nearly seven and a half years after being shot down Oct. 22, 1965. His awards and decorations include two Purple Hearts.

The service will be held at noon Wednesday at Union Baptist Missionary Church, 5414 Nansemond Parkway. Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Col. Fred V. Cherry Scholarship Fund at the Suffolk Foundation, 106 Finney Ave., Suffolk, VA 23434. The phone number is 923-9090.