Mike Matzinger
Charles E. McGee (December 7, 1919 – January 16, 2022) was a distinguished aviator, military officer, and lifelong advocate for Scouting. McGee, a Tuskegee Airman who broke racial barriers in the United States Armed Forces, lived a remarkable 102 years, leaving behind a legacy of courage, service, and mentorship.
McGee’s path to greatness began in the Boy Scouts of America. Growing up in Gary, Indiana, he embraced the values of Scouting, ultimately earning the rank of Eagle Scout on August 9, 1940. The lessons of leadership, discipline, and service that he learned as a Scout would guide him throughout his life.
About ten months after the attack on Pearl Harbor, McGee left his sophomore year in engineering at the University of Illinois to enlist in the military. He joined the Tuskegee Airmen, the all-Black fighter group that would become legendary for its skill and bravery during World War II. Over a 30-year military career spanning World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War, McGee flew 409 combat missions and logged 6,308 hours in the air, among the most in U.S. military history. His service earned him the Congressional Gold Medal in 2007, induction into the National Aviation Hall of Fame in 2011, and the honor of presiding over the coin toss at Super Bowl LIV in 2020.
After retiring as a colonel in 1973, McGee returned to complete his education, earning a degree in business administration from Columbia College in 1978. He remained deeply involved in Scouting, serving as an assistant Scoutmaster and district committee member. In recognition of his lifelong commitment to Scouting and his extraordinary achievements, the Boy Scouts of America presented him with the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award in 2010 at the National Scout Jamboree, a distinction earned by fewer than 3,000 Eagle Scouts in history.
In 2020, McGee received the Silver Buffalo Award, Scouting’s highest honor for adult volunteers. Even in his later years, he emphasized the importance of mentorship and living by the values of the Scout Oath and Law, inspiring young people to always “Do Your Best.”
Charles McGee’s life exemplified service before self, both in the skies and on the ground. His contributions to his country and to generations of Scouts continue to serve as a model of courage, integrity, and dedication to others.