The Silver Spring Library at 900 Wayne Ave. could be renamed if County Executive Marc Elrich goes along with a request from Councilmember Will Jawando (D-At Large).
Jawando wrote to Elrich asking him to consider naming the library after Brigadier General Charles McGee, a veteran of the famed all-black Tuskegee Airmen in World War II, flying 137 combat missions. He also flew 100 missions during the Korean War and 172 in the Vietnam War.
A long-time resident of Montgomery County, McGee passed away in January at his Bethesda home at age 102.
Jawando presented a proclamation to McGee on Feb. 25, 2020, recognizing his honorary promotion to brigadier general and noting that he was the oldest living member of the 332nd Fighter Group of the Tuskegee Airmen, nicknamed the “Red Tails.”
Among his many honors, McGee was awarded a Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Legion of Merit with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star, Air Medal with 25 Oak Leaf Clusters, and others. He retired in January 1973.
“It was my honor to get to know Brig. Gen. McGee and his family over the years,” Jawando wrote. “He was a man of integrity, intelligence, and grace. His memory will live on for years to come and we must do our part to keep his memory alive. It would be fitting that one of our largest county libraries—a place where we learn about history and also seek to better ourselves—be named after a man of such great honor.”
Graphic from Montgomery County website