Hanscom honors service, sacrifice of Tuskegee Airmen

  • Published
  • By J.C. Corcoran
  • 66th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Sporting a red suit coat adorned with the military decorations he earned during 30 years of dedicated service to his country, Col. Charles E. McGee, one of the original Tuskegee Airmen, was given a hero's welcome by a capacity crowd at a luncheon held in the Minuteman Club ballroom Feb. 11.

The luncheon offered an audience, composed of fellow original Tuskegee Airmen of the New England Chapter, aviation contemporaries and military and civilian personnel, the opportunity to meet Colonel McGee and the other American heroes who answered their country's call and were part of "the Tuskegee experience." Each member, on the ground and in the air, set a standard of aviation excellence that lives on nearly 70 years later.

Following his introduction by Capt. Jacquelynn Coles, Col. Charles E. McGee Chapter Tuskegee Airmen Incorporated president, the soft-spoken American war hero, now 90 years old, shared experiences of a time when the United States and its military services refused to recognize the abilities, capabilities and potential of black Americans and specifically black aviators. 

The Tuskegee Airmen proved themselves equal through their sacrifices, patriotism, dedication and sense of duty. Summarizing it all, Colonel McGee said, "It was that [Tuskegee] experience that proved to our country that talent doesn't come in color."

During his long and distinguished Air Force career, Colonel McGee was awarded three of the top ten military decorations that his country could bestow. Among the honors he earned are the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster; the Distinguished Flying Cross with two OLCs; The Bronze Star; the Air Medal with 25 OLCs; the Army Citation, Korean Presidential Unit Citation; the Hellenic Republic World War II Commemorative Medal and several campaign and service ribbons. He retired from the United States Air Force in 1973.

Active in the Hanscom community throughout the year, the Colonel Charles E. McGee Chapter continues its many community outreach programs like presenting scholarships to assist local ROTC high school students as well as making contributions to the Hanscom Air man Leadership School in support of team building activities.

"Our mission is to continue to honor the accomplishments and to perpetuate the history of African-Americans who took part in air, ground and support operations and training while serving in the Army Air Corps during World War II," Captain Coles said.

"Through active involvement by our membership we will be able to continue to serve our country, our Air Force and our community just as Colonel McGee and those who served with him did those many years ago," she said.

For more information on membership or upcoming events by the CCEM Chapter, contact Captain Coles at Jacquelynn.coles@hanscom.af.mil.