http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-883244.mp3
Kansas City, Mo. – Imagine facing enemy fire at wartime, at the same time as facing the humiliation of discrimination. That's the story of the all-black Flying Class 43-G, better known as the Tuskegee Airmen. These men took part in an Air Force experiment to find out if blacks could be competent aviators.
Former Kansas City resident Colonel Charles McGee was part of this pioneering group. He flew many dangerous missions as a fighter pilot in World World II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. In fact, he flew more fighter missions than any other Air Force aviator.
McGee eventually went on to serve as base commander at the Richards Gebaur Air Force Base and as director of the Kansas City Downtown Airport.
KCUR's Susan B. Wilson recently caught up with Colonel Charles McGee when he spoke at the Kansas City Public Library's Central Branch in connection with the exhibit, The Test: The Tuskeegee Airman Project.
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