KANSAS CITY, Mo. — One of nine remaining Tuskegee Airmen was honored Tuesday in Kansas City, Missouri.
The Charles B. Wheeler Downtown Airport General Aviation Terminal now features the name of 101-year-old Brig. Gen. Charles McGee.
McGee was among the 355 Black pilots and airmen who fought in World War II as part of the “Tuskegee Experience,” earning his Tuskegee Airman pilot’s wings on June 30, 1943.
He received a proclamation from KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas during the renaming ceremony, honoring McGee's "lifelong service" to Kansas City and the country.
I was so honored to meet and say thank you to Brigadier General Charles McGee today. The 101 year old fighter pilot flew for the Tuskegee Airman in three tours. The General Aviation Terminal downtown has been named in his honor. @41actionnews pic.twitter.com/y72TkxapvF
— Jonathan goede (@jgkshb) June 29, 2021
Following his service overseas, McGee was stationed at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base near Grandview in the 1950s and became the first Black commander of the base in 1972. He retired one year later, electing to stay in Kansas City, Missouri, where from 1980-82 he served as manager of the Kansas City Downtown Airport. He also was a member of the Kansas City Aviation Department’s Aviation Advisory Council.
McGee’s military career included more than 400 air combat missions, having served in World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars.
Some of McGee's family members were in attendance, along with Kansas City leaders, Brig. Gen Mike Schultz, Lt. Col Kenyatta Ruffin and Heart of America Tuskegee Airmen President Morcie Whitley.
