Charles B Leighton
Military
NARA Ref 342-FH-3A06278-F23980AC.
ww.fold3.com
Object Number - UPL 25225 - Capt James A Verinis, [17 Prince St., New Haven, Conn.], co-pilot of the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress "Memphis Belle" holding the crew's mascot,...
Assigned to 324BS, 91BG, 8AF in England from October 1942 to May 1943, during which time he completed his tour as Navigator aboard the B-17 "Memphis Belle". He and the crew next completed a war bond tour across the United States with the famous B-17 from June to September 1943. After the war bond tour, Capt Leighton served at Lockbourne Army Air Field, Ohio, and then with the 2132nd Army Air Force Base Unit at Maxwell Field, Alabama, where he received an honorable discharge on November 27, 1945.
Awards: DFC, AM (3 OLC), WWII Victory, EAME, American Campaign.
Post war: After leaving active duty, Charles completed his degree and worked as a school teacher and guidance counselor.
Connections
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Units served with
- Unit Hierarchy: Squadron
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
- Unit Hierarchy: Group
- Air Force: Eighth Air Force
- Type Category: Bombardment
Aircraft
- Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
- Nicknames: Memphis Belle
- Unit: 91st Bomb Group 324th Bomb Squadron
Places
- Site type: Airfield
Events
| Event | Location | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Born |
Anderson, IN, USA | 22 May 1919 | |
|
Enlisted |
Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Rickenbacker International Airport, 7370 Minuteman Way, Columbus, OH 43217, USA | 20 January 1942 | Lockbourne Aaf Columbus Ohio |
|
Other Discharged |
Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, AL 36112, USA | 27 November 1945 | Honourably discharged. |
|
Died |
Petoskey, MI 49770, USA | 22 April 1991 | |
| Flint, MI, USA | |||
|
Based |
Bassingbourn | Assigned to 324BS, 91BG, 8AF. | |
|
Other War bond tour |
United States | War bond tour with Memphis Belle across the US. | |
|
Other Based Ohio/Alabama |
Rickenbacker Air National Guard Base, Rickenbacker International Airport, 7370 Minuteman Way, Columbus, OH 43217, USA | 27 November 1945 | Served at Lockbourne Army Air Field, Ohio, and then with the 2132nd Army Air Force Base Unit at Maxwell Field, Alabama. |
