with the biden administration now leading the federal response to the coronavirus pandemic, follow the latest at c-span.org slash coronavirus. search c-span coverage of news conferences as well as remarks from members of congress. use the interactive gallery of maps to follow the cases of the u.s. and worldwide. go to c-span.org slash coronavirus. next on american history tv, bring in your general charles mcgee looks at his military career and his time with the tuskegee airmen who were african american military pilots who served in segregated army air corps units during world war ii. he later served with the air

force in korea and vietnam and in total, flew more than 400 combat missions across three wars. by the friends of the national world war ii memorial, this is about an hour. >> i'm really excited to be introducing new to our next guest. general charles mcgee was one of the famed tuskegee airmen and their career officer in the united states air force for 30 years who flew a total of 409 combat missions in world war ii, korea and vietnam during world war ii, brigadier general mcgee was stationed in italy with 302nd fighter squadron of the 332nd fighter group. general mcgee, are you there? do you want to introduce yourself? a >> good morning and it's a pleasure to be here to share with you. i realize that teachers have a real challenge in this day and age because there are so many things out there for youngsters to focus on and if we can keep them on

the right track, that's what's good for the country so it's a pleasure to be here with you today. >> definitely. do you want to introduce us -- introduce yourself a little bit and tell us a little bit about your story? >> well, i'm charles mcgee, brigadier general in the united states air force, retired. i ended up doing something i enjoy doing and i like to pass it on to the young folks as they find their talents, pinpoint where you enjoy doing and along the way, i was hooked after my first flight. for some reason, it struck me in a way and then again, i don't have the answer, i sometimes say, why? me how me? i don't know! but i got wonderful assignments and was able to actively fly during my

37 year air force career. so, as i say, i was hooked after the first flight. but i also got involved just before integration under the air force. they said, well you have to do something else besides flying. some went to intel and school, by their school, and i just chose aircraft maintenance school. so, along the way, have decided to do flying outside of active in material and support as well. so, i have a well rounded career as you say, when i enjoy and never to not enjoyed it. i'd like to pass it on. and i'm able to share it with teachers across the country, this is so important. you have a great tasks, as i said today because there are so many other things thrown at kids or in front of them where

you have to get their mind off of something to focus on the right things. so, i'm happy to be able to share with you and thank you for giving me the opportunity. >> definitely, i'm going to be reading some of the questions that are counting -- coming in from some of our key teachers for you dancer. so, i will tell you who asked it and then read the question. so from richard in the midst of the tension today, what advice do you have for the nation as it attempts to reconcile the discrimination of the past and the president with the hopes of moving forward as one semi unified nation? >> my goodness, that's getting pretty deep into things and into politics and so on. but really, when i look within and what we've accomplished and where we're going, money to me is the

biggest problem. for too many years, improvement or advancement was just measured in increased dollars. and that leaves only so many of americans that we have today and of course this gets into immigration policy and how many people can the country support and it's unfortunate that it's almost like a caste system. there are those with minors and do whatever, and there are just so many hundreds and hundreds of people in poverty. how we can overcome that, i don't have the answer but i think it's certainly something that needs to stay on the agenda because someday it's got to be solved or we won't improve as time

goes on. we just keep moving on and stay the same. still so many people not able to participate in the way they would, not prepared to enter into the jobs that are there, it's not an easy question to answer and there's probably no one way. if there is a way, and hopefully we have folks coming along and policy positions that understand that and focus on it. >> definitely. thank you for that. i know, sorry to start you off with a tough one. but, okay, the next one is from david trail and he says, please describe how evident racism was among the locals when you trained in tuskegee? >> well, that's very interesting and of course, many folks don't know that the problem came from a

1925 war college study and the subject of that study was use of negro man power if the mayor gets involved in another war. paragraph four in the four-page report that was sent says the negros physically qualify -- they negros mainly inferior to the white man, negro is morally inferior to the white man, the negro would not follow his own leadership effectively and certainly, segregation was part of that policy. they didn't want any negro in position where assorted would have to salute them. this was sent washington to be a part of future mobilization policy. and,

it's interesting because they claim they started the issue, putting blacks in aviation will be a fully or and should not be attempted. but it's interesting, the they've been paying attention to the black soldiers who went to france and fought with the french and rewarded for their service. they didn't pay any attention to the young black american coleman, who in 1921 to two friends to get a license and came back going around the country. certainly, she was enjoying this new aid industry of aviation and blacks or whites would come out to the airfield to see her perform and put on a show and as they say, herb -- was introducing this new industry of aviation to the

country. that was a circumstance said at the time, and it's interesting that when our country declared war against germany and later against japan, our country was coming out of ten years of depression and the action didn't change segregation. but it did open some doors of opportunity. the jobs that were in the industry tried up and so, there were black's very interested but that door was closed. it's interesting, in 1939, they established a civilian pilot training program and this colleges around the country and this program would provide a pool of pilots that

were the military would call on to make meat there need as war went on. tuskegee institute and in tuskegee, alabama had a very successful pilot training program and it's interesting that a law was passed allowing the army to contract the primary phase of their flight training to a civilian pilot training program. this would save their experience, the pilots, to actively participate in the in -- of the tuskegee institute applied and got a contract so even though the policy was we can't fly, it our first instructor was a black pilot. so their program and all

of this is -- it shows the dichotomy and the u.s. is and the nose for the believers. i was all out there and applied in so many different ways. and so, why a recalled tuskegee airmen, because the overall policy of maintaining segregation when the army said it won't be successful, they allowed the training -- to first tonight nine per suit squadron mainly change to -- and it's interesting because part of the policy, although there were blacks getting their

early flight training with civilian pilot program i believe was in washington d. c.. when graduates from the cptpp when -- we can use black pilots because we don't have any black instructors. so in tuskegee airmen would say, the first where the mechanics. and it's because of their training that i even learned about the program. i was enrolled at the university of illinois, and the engineering program but the mechanics weren't the training, the tech school was 14 miles away from the university, and of course we learned something that's going on if they've got blacks and trading up there. they were expecting to fail, in fact they were even tested

twice because the first didn't believe that they could get scores like they did in the test program. they were successful and then they, said wow! we needed air force for the pilot training. i mean, bases all around the country. they found 4 million dollars to build tuskegee army airfield for the training. it's now called the tuskegee airmen, they were originally mechanics, they were successful, a few months after the field became available, the pilot training began and although the 99th pilots and mechanics were trained and ready for combat. no one commander wanted them.

they'll say they wanted to train it and 41, and december 42 there were combat ready. they kept them in training another three or four months before finally sending them to north africa assigned to the group but he didn't want them so segregation when overseas. they went to their own base, they sent them also over tulsa and the third groups location, but the reports were told they weren't successful, they only shot down one aircraft. all over patrolling liberia. -- >> there was get out of the way but that brought a hearing in washington from that hearing than he said, oh they've been in combat, something's wrong. but the research on the hearing

said there are forums on targets, ailments the others. stay in combat. so the 99th in the meantime tuskegee -- i became command of the 332nd, all of us were trained in the p40 and ready for combat. we are going to do some patrol work and we were switch to the

p39. the cobra went to italy at the same time the 99 was moving to sicily, they were intense. i think 79th, 75th. -- colonel baits of the group there was glad to have more pilots and more aircraft, the 99 flying over to several german aircrafts. it was a matter of opportunity. at the same time, the 332nd was patrolling naples harbor. to waterways close to the beach. but in the spring of 44 is when we realized, the bombers,

although we felt that they had enough guns to protect them from the german air force, that was ten american lives lost. we were working with ten tactical air force. for squander and we have to 15 strategic air force. we gave our p39 to the russians. the 332nd fighter group was part of the four, and we picked up 337 thunderbolts. in about three months, all four groups -- so that was a wonderful aircraft. the built for the british, when they put the rules roy's and jim and it we said perfect. we will use it as well.

so throughout the history of the training, and start there at tuskegee. back when i graduated in june of 43 might instructor 337 said too bad that they don't have a bomber program for you guys. i think you would make a good bomber pilot. i didn't ask him what he means. he didn't know nor did i that they were already proved and three months later the bomber, began a tuskegee airfield. . what's interesting and i'm not sure that everyone realizes the because of segregation, they had sent all of the necessary support. so the support for a squadron, a couple hundred feet

technicians of all the skills required but they also needed medical supply and administration and so that's another couple hundred people so a little program finally produced some 900 pilots. we're talking 13, 14,000 people that also became a part of what took place. >> thank you so much. that was so much great information. the next question is from patricia, and she will share her for p's. >> talking to the young folks, i'd like to pass on to valuable lessons to them because they are our country's future and some more

along the way i found that four peace kind of covered not the waterfront but something to be on track, and that was for seeing -- perceive, prepare, perform, and persevere. what do i mean by perceive? oh, dream your dreams. find what your talents are and i was like that and hopefully it is something you like to do, like i fell in love with aviation. he don't want to go to work every day for not liking we have to do. but prepare, get a good education. develop those talents even though i didn't learn to read and write well. perform, always do your best in everything you do. excellence is your goal, that's what's

important for a country's future. and persevere. don't let circumstances be an excuse for not achieving. people about their hands and say their call them means they don't like and said i can't do something. but what would that have become? performance helped bring change to the country as your experience, providing equal access and equal opportunity for all. but that came about, the army never change their policy. even through the war -- in 1947, the air force separated from the ground floor and their study--. if you will. and, we're not getting enough money to keep our base open,

and limited because of segregation, signing a meeting out of responsibilities. we need to integrate and we went back a few weeks later, and president harriet truman who issued an executive order actually issued two. 99, 80, mandated there should be equal access throughout in hiring. 99 81, mandated all of the services needed to integrate. the air force finally carried out there is and it takes time, a 19 -- june of 1949, closed a segregated base and actually, the air force led the country and had equal access and equal opportunity providing for all. >> thank you. from sydney stilwell, where we are most of your flights to and from? >>

when we went to italy, early flying was from the airfield near -- the name seems to slip away from it a moment. in southern italy and then later we moved to the adriatic side, near the -- that's where we did the escort. that area of the italy, the bombers had moved out of north africa into southern italy and we were just north of them so we -- as they took off and we joined to meet them at a designated area and say, flew through wards their targets. and then of course, that was north to -- from italy and northwest to southern france. north to germany and then of course, eastern

czechoslovakia and all the way into the beach in romania. and, that was a set up at that time from bases in italy. but the prime base was in the -- area of italy. >> great, thank you! from david trail, he asks, what's selection criteria were there for the tuskegee airmen when you joined? >> so that's an interesting question. i'm not sure i had the answer. the selection process. for myself, when i was in school, i learn the mechanics training and i

think someone just said, be a pilot. i went and passed the pilot exams and got colled in what was in the spring of 42 in october, i got a call and entered the pilot training directly as a cadet. i think probably because of my training, i didn't have to go to boot camp or any other introduction. so it may have varied. some applied, some had to go from early army training and they were were transferred to the air force. but it varied and i guess you could say it was your desire and willingness of what was required, but in the early day, they did require college study. even for the mechanics

at the time. as the war progressed, finally you can enter with highschool graduates. earlier you had to be a college graduate and ended up high school graduate the can go in and get into aviation. >> okay, thank you. from steven -- did you or any of your fellow tuskegee airman ever have second thoughts about fighting for a country that treated you. s. second class citizens? >> oh, there may be some, there were always upset over treatment and what took place but the majority of them went for the opportunity and we're glad to -- hear you are saying, i can do it. to fact, it was given the opportunity and of course, along the way, we had good

leadership becauset there were those who believed in the opportunity and we're sure that we were granted that opportunity and fortunately, we -- with the leadership that we had, proved that that was not only good for the circumstance, but good for the country and became part of the policy -- not the color of your skin, and how you cut your hair, it's always important. it's what's in your brain and your ideas and your thoughts that are important and of course, that's where your teachers all come in because sometimes i tell the students, you know, you've got their greatest computer ever built, that's your brain. if you don't monitor your computer

underwrite, you can get results. that's important in your studies. if you don't develop your brain and use it right, you're the one that's heard and of course, if you don't do your destiny and do things along the way, your family, the community and the countries so it's something that all youngsters need to be aware of their progress. the importance of their progress and its importance for the country. >> from eric herman, can you describe your missions during world war ii and did you have many close calls? >> well, the nation -- mission was lights out were nine of rock law, can run 6:00 in the morning, you have to wake up call and do a little exercise, a little breakfast and then you

are briefing on a mission for the day and from the briefing, you go get your equipment together and then you go to the flight line and talk with your mechanic and check your aircraft over and everything was focused on the start engine time for fighter pilots, because i was based on how much time it took you to climb to altitude and join the bombers at the viewpoint, so all of this was planned by operations. part of your briefing and that's what you're prepared to meet each day. that you were signed to be flying. >> great, thank you. okay, here is a fun question from lisa gibson. having flipped a coin at the 2020 super bowl, who was your favorite football team? >> well, at the point i didn't have a

favorite but you had the other hand, i have retired from a base from kansas city and spent many years of my lawn service time in kansas city, missouri so it was kind of didn't flip the coin with hopes of the time that either one would be the successful team. >> understood. very fair. from jennifer miss sued, at the time, did you realize the significance of being a part of the tuskegee airmen and what were your thoughts about that?

adding >> no. as i say, i was just a happy camper along the wave of because i fell in love with line and had wonderful assignments. but we didn't enter the war saying we were gonna go down and set the world on fire and do something. we royal were just glad to be able to participate with what the country is doing to support our allies as in europe. and to me, there were some that had always wanted to be a pilot, we're glad to be a part of it and i was just glad that we had an opportunity to serve our country in a time of need. so there are mixed feelings there. there were some who served and got out of the services as soon as they could after the war was

over, others like myself are getting wonderful assignments and opportunities that remained and that's what i ended up with 30 years of service. >> hope myers has a follow-up to that question. did fellow pilots in the war respect him or knowing that your part of the tuskegee airmen? >> i don't think that was the case at the time. because there were still men in the leadership that weren't for integration, there were still those who believed in the policy that florida and we weren't capable or shouldn't have had the opportunity but as i say, personally, and i think i mentioned because of this

those years of the war from 41 to 45, the army never change the policy. the air force they separated two years later, 1947, they separated from the ground forces. and so change like that, and the issues they're facing today, whether it's happenstance of birth, or where they come from and that type of thing and the immigration policies that we have. so similar questions are still here for us to face and hopefully do the right thing what about it and and you know give equal access an equal opportunity for >> all. as far

as the future is concerned, you know for teachers because you face an important part of every youngsters life, and that's a challenge because a lot of schools aren't even the same. some of the schools are still rule rule graduating students but they're not really quite prepared, and again this is something that we can do something about and hopefully that action will take place. but in reality, you have to realize it isn't the case so we can't give up, you know. we have to keep focused and what

even though it was against army policy, saying that the trainees on his base could only use the facilities that he designated. entering the club was not for trainees, they had to use another building. knowing that that is contrary, to regulations, the officers of the four seven seven bomb group, they went to the club, and were

denied access and the colonel called him and said i would like you to read my regulation, and signed this paper, that you will abide by this, because a new army regulations did specify at the time. and their dues were already taken out of their pay, so they refused to sign, and they were put behind barbed wire and guards, and were treated were thin german prisoners of war. so--. that brought a hearing. and the hearing, the army never change their policy, even though the war was over by this time, and

they brought the groups back, but wasn't, and that is when they opened up sophie's field, south of columbus ohio. as a segregated base. and that was a base, that finally the air force closed, in 1949, when they ended the segregation. from the program. >> thank you thank you for sharing a story. all right the next question is, from ben, what are some important things, that they should be teaching our students about being good citizens, and what it means to be an american? >> very interesting question, because good students enjoying

the freedoms that we saw much enjoy here in america, and many parts of the world, is a challenge and all should be preparing themselves to not only continue to enjoy, but live them in their life and actions, to the point that it's not i think it's important as a person how you react with others, and with your own life. i would like to add, that you should look at the positive side of things the good side of things. i think there is an old saying that accentuate the positive, and eliminate the negative, and don't mess with anything in between. with these types of values that are so

important and we know that teaching is from the book. and the various elements along the way and our actions need to speak to these other values that are so important to, to the future. >> definitely thank you. okay from hope myers. how much of a voice did you have in military aviation evolution? for example did you have and engineers ears to see how the engineering engines could be improved? >> along the way i mentioned that as a second part of my career going to maintenance officer school i was able to participate when they started the maintenance control effort, which looked at what was going on to ensure

that the units of any particular base, had the right equipment or the equipment they needed and so on to keep the aircraft active, and going. and i was able to participate in that kind of thing, so long the way there were opportunities to see, where things were and make recommendations that improved the maintenance, or maintenance support throughout the service. >> nice thank you. so from ron, was there any specific incident or experience that led you to be so deeply patriotic? >> i don't think so again you know

i've often asked, why me and how me? i did not ask for any assignment that i got, all the one time they had a preference and at the time my preference was i would like to be station on the west coast. but it never happened. all of my assignments worthy in the central part of the country. so i be came the commander of the air base, and retired in 1972. so it was happenstance, and not by direction, but certainly my training and schooling along the way, there are a number of school opportunities that i was able to participate in, and as i say i just feel like, a lucky

guy because i got assignments added to my career experience, and later career responsibilities and fortunately, education along the way and i was successful so i was a happy camper. as the saying goes. and i was happy camper a long way because of that but on the other side i don't recall you know i didn't have a mentor or somebody along the way that said hey mcgee is the guy for that. you know when it happened and fortunately i had a successful career, and was able to serve with a lot of people and was able to know might leadership it paid off along the way. >> just

important to be ready for the opportunities that come right? >> that's for sure. >> okay so from richard, what was the most harrowing of the 137 combat missions you flew? >> it was 136 in europe, and then later 103 and 173 in vietnam. but i didn't look at anything more seriously if you will, not one more serious than the other. many depended on the circumstance of the enemies positions at the time or the number of guns that might be protecting in an area and certainly it is very interesting, you know i can

remember of my hundred and 36 mission, you know having the victory in world war ii and in korea but i had no aircraft damage myself in world war ii but in korea i realized that i i realize that i was trying to keep our troops from crossing a valley, and somebody is firing back at me. and my plane was hit but fortunately it was out on the wing and i was able to get back to my home base and of course the plane had to be completely replaced. vietnam, again. another phase, i put my flying experience and world war ii was a superiority career --

ground support flying, never saw them because they were not down in a trees where we were. vietnam intelligence we carried no weapons, speakers are defense but again, an aircraft, fortunately was out in the wing, i wasn't able to get to the plane. i was too far from home base to get to home base. but headed to a safe base and this is all a part of what we were trained, prepared and part of our mission to meet such an occasion and i was -- mine ended up safely. >> yes, and we are we all are too. >> thank you, that's very kind. >> from monica, she says teaching students to persevere is so hard, if it doesn't work the first time, they want to give up. do you have any tips on encouraging them not to give up?

>> one of the things we say and part of the four peace, is perseverance. don't let somebody tell you you can't do something. you have to believe that you can and go for it. as i said, remain positive and all of your thinking and be aware of the negative but don't focus on it. it's not an easy thing i am sure for youngsters and what they face for so many things happening out there that they don't need to give attention to. there is the communications today that is so different and it doesn't come from radio and it comes from almost everybody

with a phone in their hand and now, they're being bombarded with a lot of things -- the youngsters don't need, but they can't get because they've got a phone -- and these things come. so again, it's challenging to the new teachers that help steer their mind away from attention to all of -- as i said, negatives that come before them. and realize what's important in their training as each year goes by. >> definitely. from david traill, can you describe what it was like to fly in the single seat fighter during world war ii on

long missions? and also, what was the relationship like between the pilots and the maintenance men of the tuskegee airmen? >> very interesting. well, our training, -- as i said, we were trained as single engine fighter pilots, so your training prepares you to meet the mission types that you are assigned and certainly our focus. it was so important to share with you our mechanic because -- and of course the way we did that, we have to take alert. backing out from that was time to work around

their aircraft and check it out and determine the work that had been done and how he built the condition and how the aircraft was. i used to say that you reporters need to talk to the mechanics and make it possible for what we pilots do and i was just talking to the pilot. it's very key because the condition of the aircraft that you start up when you meet your hands and start time was important. so, we were in a very close relationship and i was lucky enough to -- some 40 years after the war ended to meet again and share with my mechanic, nate wilson, before he passed on, indeed a very

important relationship that we shared because it meant so much. and it was a challenge to each of our preparations, even the re-read the takeover and understand that the passing on, when you come back from remission, the mechanic things and the conditions and the performance helped him do his job on the ground and preparing for the next mission. so, it was a wonderful relationship that developed and sort of a important one along the way. >> definitely. all right, so just as a warning to you and everyone, i think we're gonna take two to three more questions and then we will wrap up. the next question is from adam cat and he asks, throughout your career in the air force, what type of aircraft did you enjoy flying the most? >> well, all of them were good. certainly, the ppe 51 with a rolls-royce engine was top-of-the-line in the day

in time and then you had to be careful with comparisons. ending up in the air force, after i retired, i got a chance to get an f 16 ride in somebody said, how do you compare it? and i said, you don't. but this is what technology has done for us. certainly in the early day, there were many things that the pilot did by hand, later on it was done automatically. you know, we were getting ready to bomb the runway and then what section do you want to hit? bomb the building, do you want it down the smoke side or the other end of the building? technology has changed that picture along the way and

certainly again is a challenge and also it's a challenge for teachers when you look at bringing youngsters realizing that you can only in the time that you have, just the idea that technology is ever out there and ever changing. it's a real challenge. >> certainly. all right, from breanne, she says she finds that students learn really well if they are able to touch some kind of artifact or sample. are there any objects that you kept from your service that have important value to you? what are they and why are they important to you? >> well, comparing service and training of my day to the training today you really can't compare, they are very different. but this is

because of poor technology. this is taken us, over the years, the challenge to each of the youngsters that you have in your classrooms today is much greater out there it was to me 75 to eight years back when i was in school. we have to recognize that. but again, it's a big challenge to teachers, to get the youngsters headed in the right direction, for them to understand that they've got to absorb a whole lot more than we did to be able to accomplish the mission. but it's because we're technology is taking us, it's because the advancements -- and it's a challenge of what's in the future. like the

saying right now, with the young ladies, one of you is going to be a lady going to the moon. who knows who is going to mars? because that's all -- we're trying to go to mars! i say, guess what? when the training is completed, i think those planners are going to be to old. it's going to be one of you. making that trip. we wish everybody the best as you prepare for it, but certainly, each and every one who is teaching a youngster today because what that means, not only for the youngsters future, for the future of the country. thank you for the opportunity to be able to share with you and as i say, best wishes, stay safe and god bless america. >> thank you so much colonel -- i mean general mcgee. general mcgee, sorry. thank you so much for joining us and for sharing your story with all of us. i

know we're all very appreciative of it. >> thank you for that. all the best and stay safe! >> weeknights this month we're featuring american history tv programs as a preview of what's available every weekend on c-span 3. architectural historian barry lewis died in january at the age of 75. tonight we begin a night of programs on architecture and our. with two of his talks from the new york historical society. first mr. lewis discusses the design and construction of the iconic brooklyn bridge, which was built in the 18 seventies. that's followed by his look at the creation of new york's greenwich village and its influence on american society and culture. watch tonight beginning at 8 pm eastern, and enjoy american history tv every weekend on c-span 3.

1970, congress passed occupational safety and health act, and president acts in signed the bill into law. next on real america, we mark the 50th anniversary with three osha films released in 1980 by the carter administration, which were recalled by the reagan administration in 1981. but first we talk to occupational safety and health