Photo Courtesy of Instagram/esskurlthegawd
The oldest, surviving Tuskegee Airmen – 101-year-old General Charles E. McGee returned to Oshkosh, Wisconsin, on Sunday to lead the start of EAA AirVenture week with family members and famous pilot Shaesta Waiz.
“I’ve been here many, many times, but to get back here again as I approach 102 is marvelous,” McGee said at Oshkosh headquarters, Local News 5 reported.
“Being able to come here and share with people that just like to look at airplanes or maybe kick the tires or maintain them, you can’t beat that,” he added.
McGee went on the memorable flight with renowned aviator Waiz, famous for piloting a single-engine aircraft across the globe in 2017, his military pilot son, Ron McGee, friends and family, including his great-grandson, 15-year-old, Lain Lanphier.
“It was an honor,” Lanphier said. “I’ve never flown with him before, and although he’s very old, 102 almost, it’s amazing. He has a legacy to live up to, and I strive to achieve that every day.”
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Lanphier hopes to follow in his great-grandad’s footsteps.
He said, “I am currently on my way to join the Airforce Academy, and I’m taking all the necessary steps to be ready for that.”
Dassault Falcon Jet’s Manager of Communications Grant Kielcczewski said that they transported McGee and his family and also added, “It is an honor, and we are proud to transport a living hero, who proudly served his country.”
The Tuskegee Airmen were the first Black military aviators in the United States Army Air Corps in 1940 before the U.S. Armed Forces became integrated. McGee, who was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1919– enlisted into the military in 1942.
Once the distinguished soldiers returned home from their service, they faced racism and prejudice in the places they lived.
However, the Airmen were later given recognition for their service by Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
In 2020, President Donald Trump recognized McGee’s contribution to his country and promoted him to Brigadier General.
McGee flew 409 combat missions during his service in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.