(Dec. 7, 1919 – Jan, 16, 2022)  Served as a fighter pilot in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam, amassing 409 combat missions. He became a command pilot with over 6,300 total hours and held commander positions in the Philippines, Italy, Vietnam, and at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base in Missouri. Charles remained on active duty for 30 years before retiring from military service on January 31, 1973.  His service awards include the Legion of Merit with oak leaf cluster, Distinguished Flying Cross with two clusters, Bronze Star, Air Medal with 25 clusters, Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal with cluster, Presidential Unit Citation, Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the Hellenic Republic WWII Commemorative Medal, the French Legion of Honor, and several campaign and service ribbons.

More Honored Vets

Whitehead, Doyle

Chief Master Sargent USAF, Air Force

Adkins, Bennie G.

Medal of Honor recipient, Marines

Lucas, Jacklyn Harrell “Jack”

Medial of Honor recipient, Marines

Toledo Henry Bill

Navajo Code Talker, Marines

Cole, Richard E. “Dick”

Distinguished Flying Cross, Army Air Corp