World War II Honoree

Charles Ross Greening

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Carroll, Iowa

Honored By

Ralph Bozorth

COLONEL AND THE PILOT OF THE 11TH B-25 BOMBER THAT TOOK OFF FROM THE AIRCRAFT CARRIER USS HORNET, FOR THE DOOLITTLE RAID ON TOKYO, JAPAN APRIL 18, 1942. AFTER THE TOKYO RAID HE WAS ASSIGNED TO A B-26 GROUP IN NORTH AFRICA AND WAS SHOT DOWN ON JULY 17, 1943 WHILE ON A RAID AGAINST NAPLES, ITALY. HE WAS CAPTURED BY THE GERMANS AND AFTER TWO MONTHS IN PRISON, HE ESCAPED. AFTER EVADING CAPTURE FOR SIX MONTHS, HE WAS RECAPTURED AND SPENT THE REST OF THE WAR IN STALAG LUFT I AT BARTH, GERMANY. DECORATIONS INCLUDE THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, PURPLE HEART, SILVER STAR, AIR MEDAL WITH 4 OAK LEAF CLUSTERS AND THE CHINESE ORDER OF YUNG HUI, 5TH CLASS.