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RIP: Tuskegee Airman Brig. Gen. Charles McGee dies at 102

godofwine

godofwine

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I ran into him and a couple of the other Tuskegee Airmen at the VA Hospital several years ago. They were cool as hell and we chopped it up with military stories.

As a veteran, these guys struggled and suffered so I didn't have to. By the time I joined the military, I was able to do any job that I wanted to because I was intelligent enough, and I wasn't really hated to subservient position

As we say in the Navy, Fair Winds and Following Seas

Tuskegee Airman Brig. Gen. Charles McGee dies at 102

(CNN) — Brig. Gen. Charles McGee, one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airmen, died Sunday morning in his sleep, according to a family spokesman. He was 102.

"McGee was a living legend known for his kind-hearted, and humble nature, who saw positivity at every turn," the family said in the statement. "He spent the last half century inspiring future generations to pursue careers in aviation, but equally important, he encouraged others to be the best they could be, to follow their dreams, and to persevere through all challenges."

Over the course of his historic career, McGee successfully completed 409 air combat missions across three wars, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, serving a total of 30 years of active service. McGee has received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the Congressional Gold Medal in 2007 and the National Business Aviation Association's Meritorious Service to Aviation Award in 2012. He was enshrined into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2011.

"Today, we lost an American hero. Charles McGee, Brigadier General and one of the last surviving Tuskegee Airman, passed at the age of 102. While I am saddened by his loss, I'm also incredibly grateful for his sacrifice, his legacy, and his character. Rest in peace, General," Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said in a tweet remembering McGee.

McGee is survived by three children, 10 grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild.

"As the nation mourns, the family asks that we remember the importance and significance of the legacy he left, all of his fellow Tuskegee Airmen, and everyone who played a role in the support and protection of American democracy," the family's statement read.

The Tuskegee Airmen were the first Black military aviators in the US service corps.
 
MCP

MCP

International
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www.bbc.co.uk

Pioneering US military pilot Charles McGee dies at 102

A member of the first all-black aviation unit, the Tuskegee Airmen, he flew more than 400 missions.
www.bbc.co.uk

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Charles McGee, a highly decorated American pilot who battled racism and segregation in the military, has died aged 102.
He passed away in his sleep on Sunday morning, his family said. "He had his right hand over his heart and was smiling serenely," a statement read.
A member of America's first all-black aviation unit, McGee flew more than 400 missions during a two-decade career.
He served in World War Two, as well as the Vietnam and Korean conflicts.

"Today, we lost an America hero," US Secretary of Defence Lloyd Austin said on Sunday. "While I am saddened by his loss, I'm also incredibly grateful for his sacrifice, his legacy and his character."

McGee, a retired brigadier general, was called to service in 1942 at the age of 23. He became one of the first black military aviators, and his unit was known as the Tuskegee Airmen.

During World War Two the US army became the country's largest minority employer. However, units, training and facilities were all segregated.
But in 1941, Congress forced the Army Air Corps to create an all-black combat unit.

It reluctantly agreed and sent the unit to a remote air field in Tuskegee, Alabama, keeping them separate from the rest of the army. This became the training ground for some pilots navigators, mechanics, and ground crew.

"We proved something different, not only in aviation history but also in American social history," McGee told the BBC in 2007, after the surviving members of the group were presented with the Congressional Gold Medal.

He said the airmen were aware that they were breaking new ground in the struggle for equal rights, although they did not set out to spark a social revolution.

"Individuals all across the country were really just interested in being accepted for who you were, being given an opportunity before being told you couldn't do something just because of your birth," he said.

The success of the Tuskegee Airmen is believed to have influenced the then-president's decision to desegregate the armed forces in 1948.
"[Our success] made it possible for President Truman to issue orders mandating all of the service to integrate," McGee said.

In 2011, he was enshrined into the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

After retiring from the armed services, McGee dedicated his life to sharing the lessons of the Tuskegee Airmen and encouraging young people to pursue careers in aviation.

And he even celebrated his 100th birthday by doing what he loved most - piloting a jet.
 
T

TheAlias

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RIP

And respect to the generations that came before us. They had to live during Jim Crow......my biggest concern today will be wondering if Amazon will deliver my bottled spring water today or if I'll have to wait til Tuesday.
 
CptMARVEL

CptMARVEL

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A true pioneer has left us.
His time here truly made this world a better place for us all.
Thank you sir, for your contributions and your shining example of Black masculinity and excellence.
RIP.
 
HeathCliff

HeathCliff

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BGOL Investor
When I was at officer candidate at Maxwell, I bought his model P-51 with his signature on it. Didn't know what the hell I was buying. One of the best purchases I've made til this day.

RIP trailblazer.
 

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