Inaugural Brigadier General Charles McGee Black History Month Program and Scholarship Fundraiser Advances Goal of Establishing a “Living Monument” to Honor the Legacy of the Famed Tuskegee Airman

Alpha Phi Alpha invites you to tune into the Inaugural Brigadier General Charles McGee Black History Month Program and Scholarship Fundraiser. The 1-hour premier airs on YouTube on February 24, at 7 PM at http://mcgeebhm.iul1906.org and will continue airing for the remainder of Black History Month, which advances the goal of establishing a “Living Monument” to honor and continue to promote the legacy of Brigadier General Charles McGee.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., Iota Upsilon Lambda Chapter in Montgomery County (MD), a demonstrated community service leader and visionary for the establishment of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. National Memorial and the historic 501(c)(3) IUL Smithville School Museum and Education Center invite you to tune into the Inaugural Brigadier General Charles McGee Black History Month Program and Scholarship Fundraiser. The 1-hour premier airs on YouTube on February 24, at 7 PM at http://mcgeebhm.iul1906.org and will continue airing for the remainder of Black History Month, which advances the goal of establishing a “Living Monument” to honor and continue to promote the legacy of Brigadier General McGee.

Brigadier General Charles McGee, an American hero and national treasure, entered eternal rest on January 16, 2022, at age 102. During his amazing life, he flew 409 aerial fighter combat missions in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He holds the record for the highest three-war total of fighter combat missions of any pilot in U.S. Air Force history. His military service began as one of the Tuskegee Airmen in the 332nd, famed pioneers who fought racial prejudices to fly and fight for their country in World War II. He is enshrined in the National Aviation Hall of Fame.

Brigadier General McGee was recognized for his combat and military service with a number of military decorations, including: Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with two oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star Medal, Air Medal with 25 oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, Hellenic Republic World War II Commemorative Medal, along with many related campaign and service ribbons. On March 29, 2007, at a ceremony inside the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, President George W. Bush and the U.S. Congress collectively awarded him and other Tuskegee Airmen with the Congressional Gold Medal, the Nation’s highest civilian award.

Brigadier General McGee was a member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity for 81 years. He was active in the Montgomery County Chapter for nearly 30 years. He mentored three generations of Alpha men, and inspired thousands of STEM students and millions of Americans throughout his extraordinary life.

The Inaugural Brigadier General Charles McGee Black History Month Program and Scholarship Fundraiser premier includes previously non-public or unseen video footage highlighting Brigadier General McGee’s life journey, his National Aviation Hall of Fame induction and awe-inspiring speech, memories shared by his children, as well as many other inspiring and uplifting moments. The featured Keynote Speaker is U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen who sponsored the legislation and led the effort in the U.S. Senate leading to his promotion to Brigadier General.