[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 66 (Monday, May 13, 2013)]
[Senate]
[Page S3369]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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                    TRIBUTE TO COLONEL CHARLES McGEE

 Mr. BLUNT. Mr. President, today I wish to join the Columbia 
College Alumni Association in recognizing one of the college's most 
prestigious alumni. Colonel Charles McGee is among the most decorated 
and accomplished Air Force aviators, holding an Air Force record of 409 
fighter combat missions flown in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. I am 
proud to applaud him for his invaluable service and contributions to 
the Air Force, Kansas City, and to our country.
  Charles E. McGee was one of the renowned Tuskegee Airmen of World War 
II and continued his service as a career officer in the U.S. Air Force 
for 30 years. He was born in Cleveland, OH on December 7, 1919, and as 
a young man, McGee was a member of the Boy Scouts of America, BSA, 
achieving the rank of Eagle Scout on August 9, 1940. He later served in 
district and regional positions in the BSA. At the 2010 National Scout 
Jamboree, he was recognized with the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award.
  During the Vietnam War, as a Lieutenant Colonel, McGee flew 172 
combat missions in a McDonnell RF-4 photo-reconnaissance aircraft. 
After a series of other appointments in the United States, Italy and 
Germany and promotion to Colonel, McGee retired on January 31, 1973. He 
ended his military career with an impressive 6,308 flying hours. 
Following his military service, McGee has held many prestigious 
functional and honorary positions within the field of aviation.
  In 1978, at the age of 58, he completed his college degree at 
Columbia College in Kansas City, over 30 years after his initial 
enrollment at the University of Illinois. Though interrupted by World 
War II, attaining a college degree had been a lifelong goal. I am 
honored to have the opportunity to congratulate Colonel McGee for this 
great achievement and am proud that he chose to complete his studies 
and continue his impressive career in the great State of Missouri.
  In his civilian life, McGee served as the director of the Kansas City 
downtown airport and as a member of the Aviation Advisory Commission. 
For 30 years, he has been an ambassador of the Tuskegee Airmen, Inc., 
serving three times as national president. He has shared his story in 
numerous public addresses and has received many accolades, including 
the National Aeronautical Association's Elder Statesman of Aviation.
  In 2005, McGee was part of a group of former Tuskegee Airmen who flew 
to Balad, Iraq to speak to active duty airmen serving in the 332nd Air 
Expeditionary Wing, the current incarnation of the 332nd Fighter Group.
  McGee has been recognized for his combat and military service with a 
number of awards including: Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak 
Leaf Clusters, Legion of Merit with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star, 
Air Medal with 25 Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Commendation Medal, 
Presidential Unit Citation, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Hellenic 
Republic World War II Commemorative Medal, along with related campaign 
and service ribbons.
  In 2007, President George W. Bush awarded him and the surviving 
Tuskegee Airmen the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor, the Nation's 
highest civilian award, and in 2011, he was inducted into the National 
Aviation Hall of Fame in Dayton, OH.
  I am honored to join Columbia College in celebrating Colonel Charles 
McGee's accomplishments and service, from which we have all greatly 
benefited. I want to thank Colonel McGee for his leadership in the 
field of aviation, in our military, and in his community.

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