NBAA Honors the Legacy of Brigadier General Charles McGee

Contact: Dan Hubbard, 202-783-9360, dhubbard@nbaa.org

Washington, DC, Jan. 16, 2022 – National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen today honored the life and legacy of Brigadier General Charles McGee, a decorated officer and legendary member of the Tuskegee Airmen, who passed away today at age 102.

“General McGee’s accomplishments are so extraordinary as to be almost beyond belief,” Bolen said. “But even more impressive than all he did was the way in which he did it. He was the very personification of excellence, service, grace, humility and dignity. To be in his presence was to be in the presence of greatness.”

NBAA paid tribute to McGee and the Tuskegee Airmen with the association’s highest award – the Meritorious Service to Aviation Award – presented as part of the 2012 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE). “We are honored to present this award to these storied aviators, who in a time of great peril defended the United States and its principles, even as they faced intolerance at home,” Bolen said in presenting the award.

McGee joined the Tuskegee Airmen in 1942 and flew more than 100 combat missions over Europe. He later flew hundreds of additional missions in the Korean and Vietnam Wars, placing him among the nation’s Air Force pilots with the highest number of combat flights. His military honors include the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with Two Clusters, two Presidential Unit Citations and many others.

McGee was a tireless volunteer for initiatives focused on inspiring young people to reach their full potential. In particular, he was a key supporter of the Commemorative Air Force’s Rise Above initiative, which highlights the stories of the Tuskegee Airmen and the Women Air Force Service Pilots as profiles in leadership for future generations to follow.

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Founded in 1947 and based in Washington, DC, the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) is the leading organization for companies that rely on general aviation aircraft to help make their businesses more efficient, productive and successful. The association represents more than 10,000 company and professional members and provides more than 100 products and services to the business aviation community, including the NBAA Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA-BACE), the world’s largest civil aviation trade show. Learn more about NBAA at nbaa.org.

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