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Brig. Gen. Charles E. McGee, USAF (Ret.)
Tuskegee Airman Celebrates 100th Birthday Flying a Cirrus Jet By Lew Jennings and USAF Staff Sergeant Jeremy L. Mosher
DFC Society Life Member and Tuskegee Airman Brig. Gen. Charles E. McGee, USAF (Ret.), celebrated his 100th birthday flying a beautiful new SF 50 Cirrus Jet. On Friday, December 6, 2019 McGee and Boni Caldeira, Executive Director of Cirrus Aircraft, flew the new Vision Jet from Fredericksburg, Maryland to Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, where McGee was greeted with “high fives” by dozens of active duty Air Force personnel.
“Red Tail” Brig. Gen. Charles E. McGee, USAF (Ret.)
The Tuskegee Airman waves to the crowd of well-wishers after flying a beautiful new SF50 Cirrus Jet on 6 December 2019 to celebrate his 100th birthday.
Korea and Vietnam. While serving he was awarded three Distinguished Flying Crosses, two Legions of Merit, the Bronze
"What a thrill where technology has taken us,"
General McGee told local news station WBOC. "It was
such a smooth flight."
On February 4, 2020, McGee was officially promoted
to Brigadier General by President Trump in a ceremony in
the Oval Office at the White House.
“Charles McGee is a genuine American hero, whose
courage in combat helped save a nation, and whose
legacy is felt to this day across the entire U.S. Air Force,”
said Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. David L. Goldfein. “It
was an honor to witness his promotion and to thank him
yet again for paving the way for today’s Air Force. The
Tuskegee Airmen continue to inspire generations of
Americans.”
The evening after he was promoted, General McGee attended the State of the Union address. He was recognized by
the President; “General McGee, our nation salutes you. Thank you, sir.”
His military career spanned three decades, where he flew 409 combat missions during three different wars; WWII,
Star, and 26 Air Medals.
In 2007 he received the Congressional
Gold Medal from President George W. Bush
and in 2011 he was enshrined in the National
Aviation Hall of Fame.
The Tuskegee Airmen’s legacy continued
when the new Boeing/USAF T-7A training
aircraft was named “Red Hawk” in a tribute to
the planes they flew.
General McGee remarked upon his
promotion, “I’d like to pass on what I call my
four ‘P’s’ – Perceive, Prepare, Perform,
Persevere – dream your dreams but get the
good education to accomplish the desires and
needs of the country. Always seek excellence
and always do you best in the things you do.
Finally, don’t let the negative circumstances
be an excuse for not achieving.”
In an Oval Office ceremony February 4, 2020 President Donald Trump helped pin stars on his uniform as Charles E. McGee was officially promoted to Brigadier General. (White House photo by Sheala Craighead)
24 / DFCS News Magazine / SUMMER 2020