Page 5 - BG Charles E. McGee

Taps
Final Flight
_____________________________________________________________________________ Charles E. McGee
December 7, 1919 – January 16, 2022
Brigadier General Charles E. McGee died Sunday, January 16, 2022, at his home in Bethesda, Maryland, at the age of 102. He entered this world in Cleveland, Ohio, on December 7, 1919, the second of three children born to Lewis Allen and Ruth Elizabeth (Lewis) McGee. His mother died before his second birthday and his father’s work as a
teacher, social worker, and minister required the family to move often. In addition to his religious foundation (do unto others), the Boy Scout oath (do my best to do my duty to God and country) and his Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity motto (to be first of all, you must be a servant of all) helped establish core values that served him throughout life.
After high school, Charles worked a year in the Civilian Conservation Corps to save enough money for college. He met and married Frances Nelson while attending the University of Illinois. Two days after their wedding on October 17, 1942, he received orders to report to the Army Air Corps as an aviation cadet.
Earning his silver wings, he went on to serve as a fighter pilot in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, amassing 409 combat missions. He became a command pilot with over 6,300 total hours and held commander positions in the Philippines, Italy, Vietnam, and at Richards- Gebaur Air Force Base in Missouri. Charles remained on active duty for
30 years before retiring from military service on January 31, 1973.
His service awards include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with two clusters,
Bronze Star, Air Medal with 25 clusters, Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with cluster, Presidential Unit Citation, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the Hellenic Republic WWII Commemorative Medal, the French Legion of Honor, and several campaign and service ribbons.
After retiring, among other pursuits Charles was Vice President of Real Estate and Purchasing for Interstate Securities Company (ISC) and Manager of the Kansas City Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport, where a terminal is named in his honor. He maintained an active interest in the Boy Scouts of America, receiving the Distinguished Eagle Scout award and the Silver Beaver award for outstanding service and noteworthy accomplishments, and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) serving as an elder and on several boards. He was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity for over 80 years and a lifetime member of the NAACP, the Air Force Association, and Tuskegee Airmen, Inc, serving two terms as national president. He served as an honorary board member of the Commemorative Air Force Red Tail Squadron.
WWII interrupted Charles’ college education, but he returned to earn a bachelor's degree from Columbia College in Missouri and went on to receive three honorary degrees: Honorary Doctorate in Public Service by Tuskegee University,
Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters by Columbia College, and an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service from Bethany College. Other honors include the Tuskegee Airmen’s 1st Noel F. Parrish’s Award, the National Aeronautics Association’s Elder Statesman of Aviation Award, the Air Force Association’s Lifetime Achievement Award, the Congressional Gold Medal awarded to Tuskegee Airmen, and enshrinement in the National Aviation Hall of Fame.
Charles was a sought-after speaker and frequent honoree touching minds and hearts as he traveled across the country
and internationally always honoring his motto “do while you can.” His kindness, courage, and incredible spirit live on to inspire all whose lives he touched.
76 / DFCS News Magazine / SUMMER 2022