[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 148 (2002), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Page 3812]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]


                 IN TRIBUTE TO COLONEL CHARLES E. MCGEE

 Mr. BOND. Mr. President, in these perilous times, citizens who 
have overcome adversity to serve our nation with distinction deserve to 
be recognized. I rise today to pay special tribute to an American who 
has served with distinction as both a fighter pilot and a civilian. In 
a 30 year military career that included service in three foreign wars, 
Colonel Charles E. McGee logged over 6,300 flying hours, including over 
1,100 hours on more than 400 fighter combat missions.
  Colonel McGee's career began with enlistment in the U.S. Army and 
subsequent training at the Tuskegee Army Air Field in 1942. Upon 
graduation in 1943, Colonel McGee flew 136 missions with the 302nd 
Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group in the European African 
Middle Eastern Theater. Tactical missions were flown under the 12th Air 
Force using the P-39 Aerocobra and then, on transfer to 15th Air Force, 
strategic missions flying the P-47 Thunderbolt and P-51 Mustang. He 
returned to Tuskegee as a captain and served as a Twin-Engine 
Instructor until the close of the base.
  Colonel McGee later served in the 67th Fighter-Bomber Squadron, 
flying the P-51 aircraft on 100 missions during the Korean War, earning 
him a promotion to Major. In 1953, Colonel McGee returned to the United 
States to attend the Air Force Command and Staff School at Maxwell Air 
Base, AL. Upon graduation, he was qualified to fly the F-89 Interceptor 
and promoted to Lt. Colonel.
  In 1967, Colonel McGee received tactical Reconnaissance and RF-4C 
flight training and was assigned to command the 16th TAC Recon Squadron 
at Tan son Nhut Air Base. From there, he flew 172 missions in Vietnam, 
earning the Legion of Merit.
  After his tour in Vietnam, Col. McGee was stationed in Europe, where 
he served USEUR and the 7th Army in Air Liaison duty and was promoted 
to Colonel. He then served as Chief of Maintenance of the 50th Tactical 
Fighter Wing. He returned to the United States in 1971 to serve for two 
years at Richard Gebaur Air Force Base, MO. He served the Air Force 
Communications Service as Director of Maintenance Engineering and 
Commander of the base and the 1840th Air Base Wing before retiring in 
1973. Over his career, he received many awards, including: the Legion 
of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak 
Leaf Clusters, Legion of Merit, Air Medal with 25 Oak Leaf Clusters, 
Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, President Unit 
Citation, Korean President Unit Citation, and the Republic of Greece 
WWII Commendation Medal.
  Colonal McGee's service to his fellow citizens did not end with his 
retirement from the military. In 1972, he assisted in the founding of 
Tuskegee Airman, Incorporated. This organization is dedicated to the 
preservation of the Tuskegee Airman legacy and the motivation of 
American youth, with a focus on minority youth, toward career interests 
in aerospace technology. To date the organization has raised over $1.7 
million and helped over 500 gifted American students of all races. 
Currently, Colonel McGee is serving his second term as the 
organization's Executive President.
  Throughout his life, Colonel McGee has shown extraordinary commitment 
to both our nation and his fellow citizens. Early in life, he overcame 
a society adverse to the advancement of African Americans and served 
with distinction in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Even in 
retirement, Colonel McGee remains dedicated to the advancement of 
American youth and our Nation. On behalf of the citizens of Missouri 
and our great nation, I thank Colonel McGee for a lifetime of 
outstanding service.

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