Charles was a Methodist minister in Collins IA when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour; he enlisted in the Air Corps the very next day. In July 1942 he crossed the Atlantic and was first posted to a supply unit near Manchester and - a year later - joined the 344th BG with the 9th AF. He was available for crew personnel at mission briefings, on the flight line pre take-off and made regular hospital rounds besides taking regular church services. He was recalled during the Korean conflict and then did a three year tour of duty in England. He was eventually discharged in 1964 and then worked for 16 years at Plantation FL.