Charles
McGee was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1919 and spent his
childhood in Ohio, Illinois and Iowa. World War II interrupted
his education at the University of Illinois and he was
sworn into the enlisted reserve in October 1942. He entered
Army Air Corps Pilot Training Program in November.
He earned his silver wings as a single engine fighter
pilot and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in June
1943, graduating in class 43-F at Tuskegee Army Airfield,
Alabama.
McGee remained on active duty for more than 30 years.
He became a command pilot with more than 6,300 total
hours. He holds an Air Force record for fighter combat
flying in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, including
136 missions in P-39/P-47/P-51 aircraft with the 302nd
fighter squadron in Italy; 100 missions in F-51 aircraft
with the 67th fighter bomber squadron in Korea and 172
missions in RF-4C with the 16th tactical reconnaissance
squadron in Vietnam.
He commanded the 44th fighter squadron in the Philippines
from 1951-1953; the 7230th support squadron in Italy
from 1961-1963; 16th tactical reconnaissance squadron
in Vietnam from 1967-1968 and Richards-Gebaur Air Force
Base in 1972.
His awards include the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf
Cluster, The Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak
Leaf Clusters, The Bronze Star, The Air Medal with 25
Oak Leaf Clusters, The Army Commendation Medal, the Air
Force Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, The Presidential
Unit Citation, The Korean Presidential Unit Citation,
The Hellenic Republic World War II Commemorative Medal,
The French Legend of Honor and several campaign and service
ribbons. McGee retired from military service in January
1973.
In civilian life, McGee earned a degree in business
administration and was Director of Real Estate and Purchasing
for ISC Industries, Vice President of Real Estate for
Interstate Securities Company and later served as Manager
of the Kansas City Downtown Airport. He retired from
civilian endeavors in 1982.
His active community interests included the Boy Scouts
of America, The Boy’s and Girl’s Club of
Greater Kansas City and the Christian Church (Disciples
of Christ). He also served several years on the Kansas
City, Missouri Armory Advisory Board, the Aviation Advisory
Commission and as a Director of the Kansas City Municipal
Assistance Corporation.
McGee is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity,
the National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People, the Air Force Association, The Military Order
of World Wars and Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. He was a member
of the Airmen Association Board at its inception in 1972
and served as its national president from
1983-1985 and again from 1998-2002.
He has been recognized by scouting with the Silver Beaver
Award, the Airmen’s General Noel F. Parrish Goal
Medal and by the National Aeronautics Association as
Elder Statesman of Aviation. He is a recipient of the
Air Force Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award,
an honorary doctorate in public service from Tuskegee
University and as a Tuskegee Airman with the Congressional
Gold Medal in 2007.
McGee and his late wife, Frances, raised three children,
became grandparents of ten and great-grandparents of
three. Charles McGee now resides in Bethesda, Maryland,
where he moved from Kansas City in 1995. He now enjoys
six additional great-grandchildren in the family and
remains active in The Airmen’s Association, fraternally
and in his church. |