Charlene E. McGee

Tuskegee Airman, 4th Edition


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      Tuskegee Airman, 4th Edition

      The Biography of Charles E. McGee

      Air Force Fighter Combat

      Record Holder

      by

      Charlene E, McGee Smith

      edited by

      Adolph Caso

      Copyright 2011, 2008, 1999 Charlene E, McGee Smith,

      All rights reserved.

      Published in eBook format by Branden Books

      Converted by http://www.eBookIt.com

      ISBN-13: 978-0-8283-2285-0

      No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means including information storage and retrieval systems, without permission in writing from the author. The only exception is by a reviewer, who may quote short excerpts in a review.

      Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

      Smith Charlene E. McGee.

      Tuskegee airman : the biography of Charles E. McGee, Air Force fighter combat record holder / by Charlene E. McGee Smith.

      p. cm.

      Includes bibliographical references (p. ) and index.

      ISBN 0828320462 (alk. paper.) (Cloth edition)

      ISBN 0828321868, ISBN 0780828321860 (Hard edition)

      1. McGee, Charles E., 1919- .

      2. World War, 1939-1945--Aerial operations, American.

      3. World War, 1939-1945--Participation, Afro-American

      4. Korean War, 1950-1953--Participation, Afro-American.

      5. Vietnamese Conflict, 1961-1975--Participation,

      Afro-American.

      6. United States. Army Air Forces--Biography.

      7. United States. Air Force--Biography.

      8. Afro-American air pilots--Biography.

      I. Title.

      D790.S5676 1999

      951.904'248'092--dc--21 99-18279

      [b]CIP

      For Mom,

      who kept the home fire burning,

      and Bill,

      who completes me.

      Acknowledgments

      The contribution of family, friends and associates to Dad’s story is living testimony of their high regard for him. I am grateful for the role each played in bringing his biography to life. Many sent stories and provided anecdotes from times they shared with him. Some included photos and news clippings as well. However incorporated, every offering added to my insight, understanding and ability to convey events in their fullest sense.

      Special acknowledgment goes to my sister, Yvonne, and son, Damon, whose critical eye and editorial comments were invaluable. She challenged me to be specific, provide perspective and hold high standards for quality, and he counseled me to stay focused and tuned to my inner voice.

      In the editing department, thanks also go to Theodore W. Robinson, a Tuskegee Airmen and former editor with the Smithsonian Institution, who helped keep aviation facts in context, Louise Mohr for her keen proofreading skill, and my brother Ron, who brought my word processing capabilities into the modern era. Ron joined Dad, Yvonne and me for a week long edit session in October, 1997, after which the project gained direction and momentum.

      I appreciate the aid of Gillian Berckowitz, Senior Editor of the Ohio University (O.U.) Press, who offered pointers to help me navigate in the unfamiliar territory of commercial publishing; Gary Kirksey, Assistant Professor in the O.U. School for Visual Communication, for Dad’s studio portrait and other photographic assistance; Dr. Hubertus L. Bloemer, Chair of Geography and Director of the Cartographic Center at O.U., who provided maps for chapters on military campaigns; and

      Harvey McCormick, Tuskegee Airman and longtime friend of Dad, for his assistance with indexing.

      While this work was in creation, perhaps the greatest sacrifice was made by William and my youngest daughter, Charon, who gave up wife and mother more often than they would have liked. Thanks for loving me enough to make many sacrifices throughout the three years it took to complete this adventure.

       The final outcome, this biography of Charles E. McGee, distinguished aviator and American patriot, is possible because of all who assisted. Through their time and effort, Dad’s example will reach and inspire a wider circle of people, enriching them as it has those of us fortunate enough to have known and journeyed with him.

      Abbreviations

      ACSS= Air Command and Staff School

      ADC= Air Defense Command

      AFB= Air Force Base

      AFCS= Air Force Communications Service

      AME= African Methodist Episcopal

      APO= Army post office

      BOQ= Bachelor officer's quarters

      BX= Base exchange

      CADF= Central Air Defense Force

      CCC= Civilian Conservation Corps

      C.O.= Commanding officer

      D.C.= District of Columbia

      DFC= Distinguished Flying Cross

      FAA= Federal Aviation Authority

      FIS= Fighter Interceptor Squadron

      GI= Government issue

      K.U.= Kansas University

      NAACP= National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

      NATO= North Atlantic Treaty Organization

      O.U.= Ohio University

      PCS= Permanent change of station

      Ph.D.= Doctor of Philosophy

      POW= Prisoner of war

      ROK= Republic of Korea

      RON= Remain overnight

      ROTC= Reserve Officers Training Corps

      RSVN= Republic of South Vietnam

      SAC= Strategic Air Command

      SOF= Supervisor of flying

      TAAF= Tuskegee Army Air Field

      TAI= Tuskegee Airmen, Incorporated

      TDY= Temporary duty assignment

      TRS= Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron

      U. of I.=University of Illinois

      UN= United Nations

      U.S.= United States

      USA= United States of America

      USAEUR=United States Army Europe

      USAF= United States Air Force

      USAFE=United States Air Force Europe

      USO= United Service Organizations

      VD= Venereal disease

      VIP= Very Important Person

      V-J Day=Victory over Japan Day

      WW