Charles E. McGee was born in Cleveland, Ohio on December 7, 1919. His father was a social worker, minister, and teacher, causing their family to move around often during his childhood. In 1942, McGee was in the process of obtaining his degree in engineering at the University of Illinois. However, soon after World War II began McGee enlisted in the United States Army and began his service on October 26, 1942. After graduating from flight school McGee was stationed in Italy where he proceeded to fly 136 missions during World War II. He returned to Tuskegee, Alabama in 1944 where he took post as a twin engine instructor. By the end the 1950, the Korean War had broken out and McGee was now flying planes out of the Philippines, where he was stationed as a Base Operations Officer. He flew 100 low level bombing and strafing missions during the Korean War. In 1953, he graduated from the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base. A few years later McGee was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, causing his wife and three children to relocate with him across the United States and abroad throughout the next several years. In 1967, when the Vietnam War broke out, McGee was once again deployed and flew 173 missions. In 1969, McGee was promoted to the rank of Colonel and on January 31, 1973 he retired from the United States Air Force compiling nearly 30 years of service and a record of 409 aerial fighter combat missions.