Be glad, indeed, that the standards were high and many aspiring airmen washed out/did not qualify. These brave men showed the world nobody had to lower standards for them or carry them along. They were criticized by some for their lower kill rate of enemy fliers, but they also lost only 27 bombers (not zero, as the myth-makers say), considerably fewer than the AAF average of 46 bombers lost per bomber escort group. All for a country that did not appreciate the service and the lost lives.
Air Force historian Daniel Haulman cites these figures in his excellent, "Fifty-two Misconceptions about the Tuskegee Airmen," which praises these men "to the skies."
Terrific article that highlights an overall important part of history and one incredible individual with excellent lessons for us all - especially politicians today
As an "average, middle aged white guy", I wish my kids could understand the point of this essay. In the end, it really is about hard work, rising above and making your way. The way my kids see it, the world should adapt to them and their feelings...I just don't think that works in the long term.
Thanks for this terrific piece. I too have been fortunate enough to hear a presentation by one of the Tuskegee Airman (I am a retired AF Officer). It was astounding. Their bravery, skill and mission focus are among the greatest military achievements this country has ever had. All of us need to remember and emulate these examples of American excellence.
Hero's come in all sizes, shapes, and colors. I was fascinated by these men as a child in mid 1960s in a flyover state where the sky was always just above the horizon. After them came a book on the women pilots who flew escorts, moving planes about and pulling practice targets for new male pilots. Unsurprisingly, they died in levels similar to pilots in combat.
Chuck McGee was a friend, and this article captures him well. He was a great American.
Chuck’s daughter taught my wife and me and our children how to scuba dive, and when we went on a Cayman diving trip together he came along, on mission. He had promised his daughter that if she learned to fly—which she had—he would learn to dive—which he did, sort of. He was a convivial man but gentle and modest. At one Air Force ceremony, he listened as they ticked off the astounding wartime record of a pilot they were honoring with some award, then realized to his surprised that he was the awardee. Many years ago, the Tuskegee Airmen established an aviation scholarship program, and went out of their way to specify that it was for students of all races. Chuck was proud of that, but also happy that, inevitably, it ended up primarily helping and inspiring young African-Americans.
Chuck celebrated his birthdays with a plane flight—all the way to his 100th.
Thanks very much on the focus piece on General McGee. I was aware of the many achievements of the Tuskegee Airmen, but not so much about General McGee, who was truly a hero among heroes! General McGee's values (e.g. The Scout Law and "Four Ps") are instructive, and, if followed, are indeed the keys to success. Thank you for so eloquently delivering this reminder to us all.
The 12 scout laws: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. He’s right. The country would be a lot better if everyone followed those. God speed General.
We moved to Louisiana a little over five years ago and are proud to take visitors to the National WWII Museum, about a 40-minute drive over the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway from our home. The stories emanating throughout the Museum are ones all Americans should hear as it helps remind us of what our ancestors faced in order to give us the freedom we now all share. The story and history of the Tuskegee Airmen is one that particularly drives home the history of what they faced and what and how they overcame all obstacles, but also of where we, as a Nation, once was, and from where we have come. While there is still a long way to go in our quest for forming that Perfect Nation, the words and sage advice of General McGee, should be heard and followed to help make that journey faster and more cohesive for all.
Thank you for a great article, Matthew. I hope you don't mind me sharing it.
A remarkable man, and remarkable men. I really enjoyed this history lesson - wish the kids at the Brooklyn elementary school were getting this lesson instead of the coloring books they were using.
The history and accomplishments of the Tuskegee airmen and great men like General McGee should become required reading for every American. They were true heroes in every sense of the word. But everyone should also understand that the politics of discrimination reached far beyond just than the treatment of blacks during the WW2 era.
My 100% Italian-American dad, the son of immigrant parents, enlisted in the Army Air Corps and reported for duty on his 18th birthday in 1943. He qualified for and excelled during basic pilot training. But upon entering advanced pilot training (in Georgia) the southern-based training officers made it very clear at the outset that none of the "greasy Wops from New York" were ever going to become pilots under their watch.
True to the trainers' word, none did -- every pilot trainee with an Italian surname or of Italian heritage was treated exceptionally harshly during training, and wound up with a final rating just below the threshold needed to become an active pilot. Considered washouts, many of these men were sent to the infantry to fight on the front lines. My dad was "fortunate" to only be 5'5", and was given the opportunity to enter training to become a navigator (since they had to be short in order to fit in a navigator's compartment on a B-17).
Be glad, indeed, that the standards were high and many aspiring airmen washed out/did not qualify. These brave men showed the world nobody had to lower standards for them or carry them along. They were criticized by some for their lower kill rate of enemy fliers, but they also lost only 27 bombers (not zero, as the myth-makers say), considerably fewer than the AAF average of 46 bombers lost per bomber escort group. All for a country that did not appreciate the service and the lost lives.
Air Force historian Daniel Haulman cites these figures in his excellent, "Fifty-two Misconceptions about the Tuskegee Airmen," which praises these men "to the skies."
Terrific article that highlights an overall important part of history and one incredible individual with excellent lessons for us all - especially politicians today
I highly recommend the 1995 movie, "The Tuskegee Airmen."
As an "average, middle aged white guy", I wish my kids could understand the point of this essay. In the end, it really is about hard work, rising above and making your way. The way my kids see it, the world should adapt to them and their feelings...I just don't think that works in the long term.
Solomson says it all. I love the "Four Ps."
Thanks for this terrific piece. I too have been fortunate enough to hear a presentation by one of the Tuskegee Airman (I am a retired AF Officer). It was astounding. Their bravery, skill and mission focus are among the greatest military achievements this country has ever had. All of us need to remember and emulate these examples of American excellence.
Bari’s podcast is one of the only that I listen to religiously. Thanks for all you do
There's an organization focused on bringing the story of the Tuskegee Airmen to kids in school:
https://cafriseabove.org/
Great stuff.
thank you
Hero's come in all sizes, shapes, and colors. I was fascinated by these men as a child in mid 1960s in a flyover state where the sky was always just above the horizon. After them came a book on the women pilots who flew escorts, moving planes about and pulling practice targets for new male pilots. Unsurprisingly, they died in levels similar to pilots in combat.
Chuck McGee was a friend, and this article captures him well. He was a great American.
Chuck’s daughter taught my wife and me and our children how to scuba dive, and when we went on a Cayman diving trip together he came along, on mission. He had promised his daughter that if she learned to fly—which she had—he would learn to dive—which he did, sort of. He was a convivial man but gentle and modest. At one Air Force ceremony, he listened as they ticked off the astounding wartime record of a pilot they were honoring with some award, then realized to his surprised that he was the awardee. Many years ago, the Tuskegee Airmen established an aviation scholarship program, and went out of their way to specify that it was for students of all races. Chuck was proud of that, but also happy that, inevitably, it ended up primarily helping and inspiring young African-Americans.
Chuck celebrated his birthdays with a plane flight—all the way to his 100th.
Thanks very much on the focus piece on General McGee. I was aware of the many achievements of the Tuskegee Airmen, but not so much about General McGee, who was truly a hero among heroes! General McGee's values (e.g. The Scout Law and "Four Ps") are instructive, and, if followed, are indeed the keys to success. Thank you for so eloquently delivering this reminder to us all.
The 12 scout laws: trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent. He’s right. The country would be a lot better if everyone followed those. God speed General.
We moved to Louisiana a little over five years ago and are proud to take visitors to the National WWII Museum, about a 40-minute drive over the Lake Pontchartrain Causeway from our home. The stories emanating throughout the Museum are ones all Americans should hear as it helps remind us of what our ancestors faced in order to give us the freedom we now all share. The story and history of the Tuskegee Airmen is one that particularly drives home the history of what they faced and what and how they overcame all obstacles, but also of where we, as a Nation, once was, and from where we have come. While there is still a long way to go in our quest for forming that Perfect Nation, the words and sage advice of General McGee, should be heard and followed to help make that journey faster and more cohesive for all.
Thank you for a great article, Matthew. I hope you don't mind me sharing it.
A remarkable man, and remarkable men. I really enjoyed this history lesson - wish the kids at the Brooklyn elementary school were getting this lesson instead of the coloring books they were using.
The history and accomplishments of the Tuskegee airmen and great men like General McGee should become required reading for every American. They were true heroes in every sense of the word. But everyone should also understand that the politics of discrimination reached far beyond just than the treatment of blacks during the WW2 era.
My 100% Italian-American dad, the son of immigrant parents, enlisted in the Army Air Corps and reported for duty on his 18th birthday in 1943. He qualified for and excelled during basic pilot training. But upon entering advanced pilot training (in Georgia) the southern-based training officers made it very clear at the outset that none of the "greasy Wops from New York" were ever going to become pilots under their watch.
True to the trainers' word, none did -- every pilot trainee with an Italian surname or of Italian heritage was treated exceptionally harshly during training, and wound up with a final rating just below the threshold needed to become an active pilot. Considered washouts, many of these men were sent to the infantry to fight on the front lines. My dad was "fortunate" to only be 5'5", and was given the opportunity to enter training to become a navigator (since they had to be short in order to fit in a navigator's compartment on a B-17).