He attended UT Austin, but after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he volunteered for the Army Air Corps in February 1942. After basic flight training, he was one of the original pilots assigned to the 510th Fighter Squadron, part of the 405th Fighter Group in South Carolina, which entered combat in Christchurch, England in 1943. He completed 97 combat missions flying a P-47 and was highly decorated. Among other recognition, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross and 16 Air Medals. He flew over the beaches of Normandy on D-Day and his Squadron was personally recognized by George S Patton for its support of the Third Army in France.
Following his military service, he rejoined his family in Dallas and worked in the property and casualty insurance business where he met his future wife, Dorothy Onley. They were married in 1948 at Cathedral Guadalupe. Charlie entered a new career as a commercial artist, studio owner, and ultimately partner in a local advertising agency. He was active in professional and community organizations, serving as the president of the Advertising Artists Association. He was an active Boy Scout volunteer, serving in many capacities including as Scoutmaster of Troop 43, and was one of the first Explorer Scout Advisers. He drafted the first manual for the organization and operation of an Explorer Post and was recognized by Circle Ten Council and the National BSA Council for his volunteer service with the Silver Beaver Award. He served on the financial committee at Cathedral Guadalupe, and the committee tasked with supervising the renovation of the Cathedral.
After his retirement he became a volunteer docent at the Frontiers of Flight Museum, where for the past 15 years he has been a fixture, passing along his love of aviation and his WW II experience to thousands of visitors each year. He was a founding member of the 510th Fighter Squadron Association, and created much of the artwork in its history book of WW II. A Fourth Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the P-47 Pilots Association, The Military Order of The World Wars, and The Quiet Birdmen.
Preceded in death by his two younger brothers, Marion (Mickey), John, and Dorothy, his wife of 54 years, he is survived by his sister-in-law, son and daughter-in-law, one grandson, and six nieces and nephews. Charlie has "Flown West", but he lived his life with dignity, respect for others, and service to his community and country. During his life he influenced countless people in positive ways and while he is greatly missed, his spirit and example remains.
He attended UT Austin, but after the attack on Pearl Harbor, he volunteered for the Army Air Corps in February 1942. After basic flight training, he was one of the original pilots assigned to the 510th Fighter Squadron, part of the 405th Fighter Group in South Carolina, which entered combat in Christchurch, England in 1943. He completed 97 combat missions flying a P-47 and was highly decorated. Among other recognition, he received the Distinguished Flying Cross and 16 Air Medals. He flew over the beaches of Normandy on D-Day and his Squadron was personally recognized by George S Patton for its support of the Third Army in France.
Following his military service, he rejoined his family in Dallas and worked in the property and casualty insurance business where he met his future wife, Dorothy Onley. They were married in 1948 at Cathedral Guadalupe. Charlie entered a new career as a commercial artist, studio owner, and ultimately partner in a local advertising agency. He was active in professional and community organizations, serving as the president of the Advertising Artists Association. He was an active Boy Scout volunteer, serving in many capacities including as Scoutmaster of Troop 43, and was one of the first Explorer Scout Advisers. He drafted the first manual for the organization and operation of an Explorer Post and was recognized by Circle Ten Council and the National BSA Council for his volunteer service with the Silver Beaver Award. He served on the financial committee at Cathedral Guadalupe, and the committee tasked with supervising the renovation of the Cathedral.
After his retirement he became a volunteer docent at the Frontiers of Flight Museum, where for the past 15 years he has been a fixture, passing along his love of aviation and his WW II experience to thousands of visitors each year. He was a founding member of the 510th Fighter Squadron Association, and created much of the artwork in its history book of WW II. A Fourth Degree Member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the P-47 Pilots Association, The Military Order of The World Wars, and The Quiet Birdmen.
Preceded in death by his two younger brothers, Marion (Mickey), John, and Dorothy, his wife of 54 years, he is survived by his sister-in-law, son and daughter-in-law, one grandson, and six nieces and nephews. Charlie has "Flown West", but he lived his life with dignity, respect for others, and service to his community and country. During his life he influenced countless people in positive ways and while he is greatly missed, his spirit and example remains.
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