Brigadier Charles McGee, one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen, passes away at 102

Brigadier General Charles McGee (Photo USAF)

Charles Edward McGee, born on December 7, 1919, passed away in his sleep on Sunday the 16th of January 2022, aged 102. A member of the famous Tuskegee Airmen, he was deployed in  February 1944 with the 302nd Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group, which was then based in Italy. Flying the P-39 Airacobra, P-47 Thunderbolt and finally the P-51 Mustang, he flew 137 combat missions and was credited with one aerial victory and a shared aerial victory before returning to the US in December 1944.

After the war, he remained with the US Air Force and flew another 100 combat missions in the Korean War, still flying the P-51 Mustang. During the Vietnam war, he commanded the 16th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron flying the RF-4C Phantom II and flew another 172 combat missions.

Charles McGee standing by his P-51 Mustang named “Kitten” in 1944 (Photo USAF)

His total of 409 combat missions is one of the highest ever achieved by an American pilot. He retired from the Air Force in 1973, after 30 years of active service. After his military retirement he occupied various positions in aviation and finished the college degree which he had to give up on during World War II.

McGee’s P-51C Mustang “Kitten” (Artwork Gaëtan Marie)

He married Frances Nelson in 1942. The couple had three children, ten grandchildren and (as of today) 14 great-grandchildren. Frances passed away in 1994. Mc Gee was Christian and very active with his local church.

Our thoughts and prayers go to Charles McGee’s family and friends.

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1 comment

    • Marc Lecocq on January 19, 2022 at 9:13 AM
    • Reply

    A man who has changed history and human rights by proving that no matter the colour of a skin, all human beings are equal. It also enabled us to live free by liberating Europe from a Nazi dictatorship. Red-tailed planes will be seen for a long time to come in the sky in the memories of Charles McGee and all the members of the Tuskegee Airmen. Respect.

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