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Published 11:40 IST, February 6th 2020

Tuskegee airman talks segregation at NASA event

NASA honored retired U.S. Air Force Honorary Brig. Gen. Charles McGee during an event Wednesday at its headquarters in Washington.

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Tuskegee airman talks segregation at NASA event
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NASA honored retired U.S. Air Force Honorary Brig. Gen. Charles McGee during an event Wednesday at its headquarters in Washington.

McGee flew combat planes in World War II as part of the 332nd Fighter Group, known as the Tuskegee Airmen.

He is one of only nine still alive today. The Tuskegee Airmen were the country's first black fighter pilots.

McGee holds the record for Air Force pilot with the most combat missions in World War II, Korea and Vietnam, according to the National World War II Museum.

NASA astronaut Alvin Drew interviewed McGee in a Black History Month program titled "Trailblazers: The Story of a Tuskegee Airman."

President Donald Trump lauded McGee during his State of the Union address on Tuesday night, with McGee and his great-grandson in attendance.

Updated 11:41 IST, February 6th 2020