Brigadier General Charles E. McGee
January 16th, 2022; Brigadier General Charles Edward McGee one of the last surviving members of the Tuskegee Airmen, all African-American squadron more famously known as the Red Tails flew West.
Although a greatly held belief that a person of color could not possibly perform as a fighter pilot, like all his fellow Red Tail pilots, Charles Edward McGee broke all the barriers and proudly went on to serve in the United States Air Force for more than 30 years. McGee had completed 137 combat missions during WW2 in the European Theatre of Operations, 100 missions with the 67th Fighter Bomber Squadron during the Korean War, and 172 combat missions in a McDonnell RF-4 Phantom during the Vietnam War.
Once McGee returned home from Vietnam, he possessed one of the highest combat totals of any pilot and the longest active-duty careers by any Air Force fighter pilot in history.
For his exemplary service, Charles Edward McGee received the Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters and the Bronze Star Medal, the Congressional Gold Medal. In 2011, Charles Edward McGee was inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.
After 30 years of service, three wars, and 409 combat missions, Brigadier General Charles Edward McGee passed away peacefully during the night of January 16th, 2022, at the age of 102.
After 30 years of service, three wars, and 409 combat missions, Brigadier General Charles Edward McGee passed away peacefully during the night of January 16th, 2022, at the age of 102.
Brigadier General Charles Edward McGee...your memory shall serve as an inspiration for generations to come. Blue skies and following winds Sir.
Leave a comment