World War II Honoree

Charles S. Ellis, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army Air Force

Hometown

Talladega, Alabama

Honored By

Joan Echsner

Relationship

Friend

783RD BOMB SQUADRON, BASED IN SOUTHERN ITALY. HE FLEW 50 COMBAT MISSIONS WITH THE 15TH AIR FORCE, AS FLIGHT COMMANDER OF A B-24 GROUP PRIMARILY IN GERMANY AND ROMANIA. HIS AWARDS INCLUDE THE DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS, THE AIR MEDAL WITH 3 CLUSTERS, THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION AND 5 BRONZE BATTLE STARS. AFTER RETURNING TO THE STATES, HE BECAME A B-24 INSTRUCTOR AT COURTLAND, ALABAMA AND A B-29 INSTRUCTOR AT MAXWELL FIELD. LATER, HE WAS ASSIGNED TO THE A-3 STAFF, EASTERN FLYING TRAINING COMMAND HEADQUARTERS.