World War II Honoree

Charles L. Beale

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Earlington, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Sam E. Pennartz

ENLISTED IN THE ARMY AIR CORPS ON 6 DECEMBER 1943 AT PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA. ASSIGNED TO THE CENTRAL PACIFIC THEATRE OF OPERATIONS, 20TH AIR FORCE, 315TH BOMB WING, 16TH BOMBARDMENT GROUP (VERY HEAVY), 16TH BOMB SQUADRON STATIONED AT NORTHWEST FIELD ON GUAM IN THE MARIANA ISLANDS. ON THE NIGHT OF 12 JULY 1945, HE FLEW AS AN AERIAL GUNNER AT THE LEFT BLISTER STATION ABOARD A BOEING B-29 SUPERFORTRESS (TAIL # 42-63653). HIS B-29 WAS ONE OF FIFTY-THREE AIRCRAFT IN THE WING FORMATION TO BOMBARD THE KAWASAKI PETROLEUM COMPLEX, LOCATED BETWEEN TOKYO AND YOKOHAMA IN THE MOST HEAVILY DEFENDED AREA OF JAPAN. DURING THE 14-HOUR FLIGHT, THE AIRCRAFT DISAPPEARED (ON THE 13TH OF JULY) WITHOUT A TRACE, RESULTING IN THE LOSS OF THE AIRCREW.