To learn more about the Red Tail Squadron. Charles McGee, a Tuskegee Airman, shares his memories of WWII (National WWII Museum) Annotation Charles McGee was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1919. After third grade he moved to Illinois. He also spent some time in Iowa. McGee was able to learn some engineering and other useful trades through the Civilian Conservation Corps [Annotator's Note: also referred to by the acronym CCC]. He saved enough money to enter into a state school. He entered ROTC [Annotator's Note: Reserve Officer Training Corps] at Illinois and was also a member of the Pershing Rifles there. Leadership attitudes in Charles McGee's unit helped to form a bond between the men. Charles McGee liked the P-51 [Annotator's Note: North American P-51 Mustang fighter aircraft] because it had more speed, range and altitude than the other planes.
When Charles McGee first got to Italy, a lot of work was done trying to improve the living conditions. [Annotator's Note: Charles McGee served in the USAAF as a fighter pilot with the 302nd Fighter Squadron, 332nd Fighter Group. 15th Air Force.] Tuskegee Airman Lt. Col. Alexander Jefferson -- EXTENDED INTERVIEW. Tuskegee Airman speaks to his experiences in WWII. Interview with the First Tuskegee Ace of WWII with dogfight reenactment (History Channel) Negro Pilots (1943) - Tuskeegee Airmen. Tuskegee Black Fighter Squadron - Wings for This Man. To learn more, read the following news articles. NY Times - Negro Betterment Seen (Proquest - SB Access only) NY Times - Negro Fliers Encouraged (Proquest - SB Access only)
NY Times - For More Negro Pilots (Proquest - SB Access only) NY TImes - To Open Negro Air School (Proquest - SB Access only) NY Times - Negroes Praised as Air Fighters (Proquest - SB Access only) NY Times - Curb to Negroes laid to Air Forces (Proquest - SB Access only) NY Times - Progress by Negroes Reported for 1941 (Proquest - SB Access only) NY Times - Negro Air Cadets Greeted at City Hall by Mayor (Proquest - SB Access only) NY Times - Veteran 'Red Tails' get a 'hot' welcome (Proquest - SB Access only)