Charles was born November 3, 1915 in Ft. Scott, Kansas where he grew up and graduated from Ft. Scott High School in 1933.

In 1938 he met the love of his life, Lillian Hisel and they were married for 71 years.

Charles answered the call to duty and enlisted in February, 1943. He received pilot training in Phoenix, Arizona and Bakersfield, California, and twin-engine training in Yuma, Arizona. Charles graduated as a pilot in December of 1943. He was assigned to a 10-man B-24 bomber crew as a co-pilot, and sent to March Field, CA for crew training. From March Field he was sent to Langley Field, VA for B-24 low altitude radar training. In July 1944 their crew flew a new B-24J to Kunming, China and was assigned to the 308th Bomb Group, 425th Bomb Squadron, 14th Air Force commanded by Gen. Chennault. He flew 300 hours of air combat against the Japanese. He was discharged in November 1945.

Charles was recalled during the Korean War for two years to the 80th installation in North Africa. He was released at Camp Kilmer, NJ in November 1952 as a Captain. His awards include two Air Medals and the Distinguished Flying Cross, Republic of China World War II Service Medal, Pacific Theater WWII Service Medal, WWII2 Victory Medal.

Charles was a firefighter for the city of Los Angeles, C A and retired as a Captain in 1976. He responded to the Bel Air Fire 1961, the Sylmar Earthquake 1971, and Monty's Restaurant high rise fire in West L.A., the Watts Riots 1965, the Mandeville Cyn Fire 1978 and many other emergency incidents. His son Steven (retired) and his grandson Bryan are both Firefighters.

He is survived by his lovely wife Lillian; his two sons and daughters-in-law Steven and Lucy Dodge, Robert and Tracey Dodge; his five grandchildren Robyn, Scott, Rebecca, Bryan, Stefanie (husband Jason); and his sister Maureen Harward.

Charles "Charlie" Dodge died in Camarillo, CA on August 8, 2014