WWII Reunion: Tuskegee Airmen

As part of the National World War II Reunion held on Memorial Day weekend on the National Mall in Washington, the Library of Congress Veterans History Project sponsored several programs presenting compelling accounts of WWII history. Speaker Biography: Lt. Col. Lee A. Archer Jr., chairman and CEO of Archer Associates and president, Organization Publishing Company, joined the Air Force and entered flight training at Tuskegee Army Air Field, graduating as a Fighter Pilot I, Class 43-G. He joined the 302nd Fighter Squadron of the 322nd Fighter Group and went on to become a fighter ace. In 1944, he became one of four "triplers" who destroyed three Me-109s on one mission. After 29 years of military service, Archer joined General Foods Corp. in 1970, was named vice president of General Foods for North Street Capitol Corporation in 1975, and in 1980 was elected corporate vice president. He is a member of the Veterans History Project Five Star Council of advisors. Speaker Biography: A native of San Antonio, Tex., Thomas Lowery enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1942 and was assigned to Kelly Field and happily joined the drum and bugle corps. A month later, he was transferred to the airplane mechanic school at Lincoln, Neb., and then onto an Army specialized training program in engineering at Howard University, Washington, D.C. Lowery served next in Florida, and was then sent to Michigan and assigned to the 477th Medium Bombardment Group. The group was based at Godman Field, Ky., with various short-term training assignments at other Army facilities around the country, and accrued the best safety record in the1st Air Force. Following the war, Lowery returned to Washington, D.C., became an electrician and continues to work in the field. He is active in an antique car club and owns four antique cars. Speaker Biography: A native of Cleveland, Ohio, Col. Charles E. McGee was a student at the University of Illinois when WWII interrupted his education. He was sworn into the enlisted reserve in October 1942 and entered Army Air Corps flight training a month later. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in June 1943, graduating in Class 43-F, Tuskegee Army Air Field. McGee became a command pilot with more than 6,100 total hours and flew fighter aircraft in Italy during WWII; in the Philippines and Korea, 1951-53; in Italy, 1961-63; and in Vietnam. Following his 30 years of military service, he held leadership positions in the Interstate Securities Company Financial Corporation and later served as manager of the Kansas City, Mo., downtown airport. He retired from private industry in 1982 to pursue community interests, and has been active in numerous local and national organizations. For more information, visit http://www.loc.gov/today/cyberlc/feature_wdesc.php?rec=8193