World War II Honoree

Charles Earl Edwards

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Benton, Arkansas

Honored By

Arnold A. Wright

Relationship

Friend

DRAFTED INTO THE ARMY AIR CORPS ON SEPTEMBER 2, 1942 AND SENT TO KEESLER FIELD, MISSISSIPPI FOR BASIC TRAINING. LATER HE LANDED ON ISLAND OF IE SHIMA, OFF OF OKINAWA ON JUNE 7, 1945 WHERE WAR CORRESPONDENT, ERNIE PYLE WAS KILLED. THE JAPANESE HAD 3 AIRFIELDS AND THE AIR GROUP BUILT A LARGE ONE FOR P-51S TO ESCORT B-29S EN ROUTE TO JAPAN. WHEN THE WAR WAS ALMOST OVER, 2 WHITE JAPANESE PLANES LANDED ON IE SHIMA. THE JAPANESE WERE BOARDED ON AMERICAN AIRCRAFT AND FLEW TO THE PHILIPPINES TO MEET GENERAL MACARTHUR. A GUARD OF THE 2 JAPANESE AIRCRAFT. DISCHARGED ON FEBRUARY 10, 1946.