World War II Honoree

Charles H. Powell

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Erie, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Jacqueline S. Brockway

Relationship

Friend

ENLISTED OCTOBER 21, 1941. TRAINED AT SHEPPARD FIELD, TEXAS, WITH SPECIALIST TRAINING ON B-24 AIRCRAFT AT CONSOLIDATED AIRCRAFT IN SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA. STATESIDE, BUILT ARMY BASE AT GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA AND SENT AS STRIKE BREAKER TO FORD PLANT AT WILLOW RUN, YPSILANTI, MICHIGAN. SENT OVERSEAS TO SERVE 37 MONTHS IN 5TH AIR FORCES, 90TH BOMB GROUP, 321ST SQUADRON 'JOLLY ROGERS'. CREW CHIEF AND MECHANIC ON B-24 AIRCRAFT. PARTICIPATED IN TEN MAJOR CAMPAIGNS. AWARDED TEN BRONZE STARS. IN LE SHIMA, OKINAWA WHEN WAR ENDED AND WITNESSED ARRIVAL OF JAPANESE ENVOY WHO CAME TO TALK SURRENDER. DISCHARGED FROM CAMP ATTERBURY, INDIANA ON OCTOBER 3, 1945.