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Colonel Charles E. McGee fought in World War II, in Korea and in Vietnam. He holds the record for the highest three-war total of fighter combat missions of any pilot in the U.S. Air Force history. His military service began as one of the Tuskegee Airmen in the 332nd, famed pioneers who fought racial prejudices to fly and fight for their country in World War II. They are the ones who achieved the unequaled record of not losing a single bomber under their escort to enemy fighters.
COL McGee went on to serve in leadership and command positions in war and in peace flying fighter missions in Korea and Vietnam. In his remarkable military career, he earned the Legion of Merit with Cluster, three Distinguished Flying Crosses, the Bronze Star and the Air Medal (twenty-five times). He was also chosen to lead the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. into the 21st Century by serving two separate terms as its president.
Stories in the media seldom portray African American men as heroes. In tribute to the many unheralded fathers, husbands, sons and brothers leading exemplary lives, COL (Chuck) McGee' inspiring story is now being told.
Colonel McGee is the latest to be inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame for having flown 409 combat missions.

Sujets

20th Century

Histoire

United States

History

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Publié par	eBookIt.com
Date de parution	21 février 2013
Nombre de lectures	0
EAN13	9780828322850
Langue	English

Informations légales : prix de location à la page 0,1150€. Cette information est donnée uniquement à titre indicatif conformément à la législation en vigueur.

Extrait

Tuskegee Airman, 4th Edition
The Biography of Charles E. McGee

Air Force Fighter Combat
Record Holder
by
Charlene E, McGee Smith

edited by
Adolph Caso

Copyright 2011, 2008, 1999 Charlene E, McGee Smith,
All rights reserved.

Published in eBook format by Branden Books
Converted by http://www.eBookIt.com
ISBN-13: 978-0-8283-2285-0

No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Smith Charlene E. McGee.
Tuskegee airman : the biography of Charles E. McGee, Air Force fighter combat record holder / by Charlene E. McGee Smith.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index.
ISBN 0828320462 (alk. paper.) (Cloth edition)
ISBN 0828321868, ISBN 0780828321860 (Hard edition)
1. McGee, Charles E., 1919- .
2. World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American.
3. World War, 1939-1945--Participation, Afro-American
4. Korean War, 1950-1953--Participation, Afro-American.
5. Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975--Participation,
Afro-American.
6. United States. Army Air Forces--Biography.
7. United States. Air Force--Biography.
8. Afro-American air pilots--Biography.
I. Title.
D790.S5676 1999
951.904'248'092--dc--21 99-18279
[b]CIP

For Mom,
who kept the home fire burning,
and Bill,
who completes me.

Acknowledgments
T he contribution of family, friends and associates to Dad’s story is living testimony of their high regard for him. I am grateful for the role each played in bringing his biography to life. Many sent stories and provided anecdotes from times they shared with him. Some included photos and news clippings as well. However incorporated, every offering added to my insight, understanding and ability to convey events in their fullest sense.
Special acknowledgment goes to my sister, Yvonne, and son, Damon, whose critical eye and editorial comments were invaluable. She challenged me to be specific, provide perspective and hold high standards for quality, and he counseled me to stay focused and tuned to my inner voice.
In the editing department, thanks also go to Theodore W. Robinson, a Tuskegee Airmen and former editor with the Smithsonian Institution, who helped keep aviation facts in context, Louise Mohr for her keen proofreading skill, and my brother Ron, who brought my word processing capabilities into the modern era. Ron joined Dad, Yvonne and me for a week long edit session in October, 1997, after which the project gained direction and momentum.
I appreciate the aid of Gillian Berckowitz, Senior Editor of the Ohio University (O.U.) Press, who offered pointers to help me navigate in the unfamiliar territory of commercial publishing; Gary Kirksey, Assistant Professor in the O.U. School for Visual Communication, for Dad’s studio portrait and other photographic assistance; Dr. Hubertus L. Bloemer, Chair of Geography and Director of the Cartographic Center at O.U., who provided maps for chapters on military campaigns; and
Harvey McCormick, Tuskegee Airman and longtime friend of Dad, for his assistance with indexing.
While this work was in creation, perhaps the greatest sacrifice was made by William and my youngest daughter, Charon, who gave up wife and mother more often than they would have liked. Thanks for loving me enough to make many sacrifices throughout the three years it took to complete this adventure.
The final outcome, this biography of Charles E. McGee, distinguished aviator and American patriot, is possible because of all who assisted. Through their time and effort, Dad’s example will reach and inspire a wider circle of people, enriching them as it has those of us fortunate enough to have known and journeyed with him.

Abbreviations

ACSS= Air Command and Staff School
ADC= Air Defense Command
AFB= Air Force Base
AFCS= Air Force Communications Service
AME= African Methodist Episcopal
APO= Army post office
BOQ= Bachelor officer's quarters
BX= Base exchange
CADF= Central Air Defense Force
CCC= Civilian Conservation Corps
C.O.= Commanding officer
D.C.= District of Columbia
DFC= Distinguished Flying Cross
FAA= Federal Aviation Authority
FIS= Fighter Interceptor Squadron
GI= Government issue
K.U.= Kansas University
NAACP= National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
NATO= North Atlantic Treaty Organization
O.U.= Ohio University
PCS= Permanent change of station
Ph.D.= Doctor of Philosophy
POW= Prisoner of war
ROK= Republic of Korea
RON= Remain overnight
ROTC= Reserve Officers Training Corps
RSVN= Republic of South Vietnam
SAC= Strategic Air Command
SOF= Supervisor of flying
TAAF= Tuskegee Army Air Field
TAI= Tuskegee Airmen, Incorporated
TDY= Temporary duty assignment
TRS= Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron
U. of I.=University of Illinois
UN= United Nations
U.S.= United States
USA= United States of America
USAEUR = United States Army Europe
USAF= United States Air Force
USAFE=United States Air Force Europe
USO= United Service Organizations
VD= Venereal disease
VIP= Very Important Person
V-J Day=Victory over Japan Day
WW II= World War II

Prologue
T he first time an interviewer asked me who has been influential in my life, I admit I had not given the question much thought. Prior to that, like many children of plenty, there had been no call to examine the sources of my good fortune. Prefacing the query with a comment on the importance of mentors and role models, I think the interviewer expected me to name a significant professor, famous author or civil rights activist, so there appeared to be surprise when I said, "my father."
The idea a father is not readily perceived to be a role model in the black family stands as sad commentary on a blind spot in America, one that overlooks a host of black men leading exemplary lives. Observations aside, when forced to scan the list of possible benefactors, Dad's name came irrepressibly to the top.
"My father, Charles McGee."
The interviewer probed.
"Interesting choice. Why did you pick him?"
"Because, from my earliest memory, he was always encouraging me."
Many things were taught under his watchful eye. Whether to ride a bike down the steepest of hills (or what seemed so when I was six years old) or attend school thousands of miles from home at age thirteen, he instilled in me an early confidence which led me to believe I could meet these and other challenges with some risk taking and hard work.
Looking back, I realize the true value of his wonderful gift. Living in the midst of a racist and sexist society, he could have advocated a cautious path.
"You're a young black girl in a world that doesn't much appreciate you. There are going to be a lot of obstacles. Don't set yourself up for disappointment."
Dad didn’t say these words because the thought behind them was foreign to him. Instead, he made me his namesake and endowed me with the sense of purpose and determination that directed his life. It is with gratitude and abiding love, I put his story on paper.
Many significant events, even historic ones, are not recognized at the onset. It may take a series of insights which accumulate over time to finally afford a clear understanding. The legend of men who became Tuskegee Airmen is an example. Dad’s story is closely entwined with theirs and it is fitting that my first real appreciation of his indomitable spirit came through them. It happened at the Tuskegee Airmen Convention in Washington, D.C., in August of 1989. My brother, Ronald Allen McGee, and sister, Yvonne Gay McGee, had been attending Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. (TAI) conventions for some time, but it was my introduction. Even though I had known some of Dad's fellow officers since childhood, this was my first close encounter with them in a long time.
I entered the reception hall to be greeted by a sea of silver-haired men of various shades of brown from "light, bright, almost white" to the deepest ebony hue. Most were wearing colored blazers, red, blue, orange and navy among others, creating a kaleidoscope as they clustered in some places and intermingled in others. I learned that the color of the jackets denoted the chapter from which the members hailed. Dad looked very sharp, sporting the sky blue of Kansas City's Heart of America Chapter. A number of Airmen approached us.
"Hey, Mac. Good to see you."
"Colonel, you look great. What's new?"
The greetings flew fast and free along with good-natured glad handing and backslapping. Smiles were broad and genuine and the hand shakes strong and sure.
As the evening progressed, long-standing friendships were acknowledged and renewed. There was the periodic talk of illness and loss that might be expected from men in their sixth and seventh decades, but thoughts of advancing years and frail health paled in comparison to the strength and vitality filling the room that night.
Drinks were ordered and glasses clinked as the Tuskegee Airmen swapped stories old and new. The discussions were punctuated by raucous laughter and interrupted by greetings with each new arrival. It didn't take long to realize the special bond between these men, one I felt privileged to observe. Their strong allegiance was unforgettably compelling and at the same time almost intimidating. The Airmen were gallant and gracious to family and friends, but in the midst of so much camaraderie we were set apart. It was clear we weren't one of "them" and to be one of "them" was clearly very special.
That evening, for one moment I was back in time, witnessing a World War II flight ready room filled with a cadre of top notch fighter pilots. With confident swagger, they exuded fiery, irrepressible energy which left no doubt they wer