Tuskegee Airman Speaks to Group of Falls Church Military Buffs

No other United States Air Force fighter pilot has flown more missions than retired Col. Charles McGee.

Friday, McGee shared his story with more than 50 people at the Falls Church Community Center. McGee, a Tuskegee Airman, told the group of mostly senior citizens, some wearing hats commemorating their service in World War II, what it was like serving his country as a pilot. More importantly as a black pilot during segregation.

“We were glad for the opportunity,” McGee said. “It gave us a chance to show what we were able to do.”

Awarded the Flying Cross three times and the recipient of 25 Air Medals, McGee completed his 30-year career as a military pilot with a record 409 missions flown. McGee, 91, who resides in Bethesda, Md., flew missions in WWII, Korea and Vietnam advancing from propeller powered airplanes like the P-51 Mustang to the jet-powered F-4. Of his 6300 hours of flying, he said 1151 were spent flying in combat. McGee was never shot down in combat and shot down one plane in August of 1944, he said. From 1945 to 1946, McGee also served as a medium-sized bomber instructor, specifically B-25s. The all-black bomber unit never flew missions overseas during the war, he said.

As McGee told his story from a podium in the front of the room, Dan Kirby sat quietly paying attention to every word. Dressed in a Tuskegee Airmen t-shirt and hat, Kirby, of Arlington, said he frequents the Falls Church Military Forum when he can. The military history buff said he considered the Tuskegee Airmen his heroes.

“They had to fight for the right to defend their country,” Kirby said. “It’s an amazing story and I think they’re a terrific bunch.”

Jim Young, who served 30-years in the United States Army, said he found McGee’s story interesting. He said it was amazing how McGee fought in three wars.

“He did a good job,” Young said of McGee. “In the military if you’re not doing a good job, they get rid of you.”

When McGee arrived at the Tuskegee Institute in 1942, he said he had never been in an airplane at that point. He was a student at the University of Illinois for two-years prior to heading to Tuskegee. He said receiving his wings in 1943 was a great moment for him.

“I knew what the infantry was going to be like so I wanted to try something different,” McGee said. “After my first flight, I knew I made the right choice.”

Telling the story of the Tuskegee Airmen is something McGee said he finds pride in. He said there are lessons to be learned from the things they went through. He said today’s youth could stand to learn from their story.

“There are many value lessons that come from this story,” McGee said. “Education, hard work and perseverance are all things the youth today can learn from our story.”