One of the first African American military pilots, Charles McGeeWASHINGTON, Jan 17 One of the first African-American military pilot Charles McGee has died at the age of 102, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said. Lost American Hero. Charles McGee, Brigadier General and one of Tuskegee's last airmen, has died at the age of 102,» Austin tweeted. for civil rights in his last speech to Congress. In P-51 Mustang fighters with red tails, Tuskegee pilots escorted American bombers over Europe. Their success is considered a milestone in the fight against racial discrimination in America and one of the factors that prompted President Harry Truman to desegregate the US military in 1948. McGee later fought in Korea and Vietnam, flying a total of 409 sorties. He retired in 1973, went into business, ran a civil airport. He is survived by three children, 10 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
Former US Senate Democratic Leader Harry Reid dies
