Foil: 11 Panel: 4 Column: 4 Line: 84

Wall of Honor Level:
Air and Space Friend

Honored by:
Mr. Edward Peltzman

Charles Dills was a fighter pilot during WWII. He flew attack aircraft in support of ground troops and against enemy forces, in Italy, Corsica, and Southern France.
Charles was born in 1922 and raised in North Dakota. He received a pilot's license as a civilian college student at North Dakota Agricultural College in 1942. He joined the Army Air Corps in 1942 to become a fighter pilot. He trained from Sept 1942 to May 1943.
From November 43 to February 44 he flew 39 missions in Italy as part of the 27th Fighter Bomber Group. He flew the A36 Apache the predecessor to the P-51 Mustang. This A36 had limited production with only two squadrons in Italy. With time the number of flyable aircraft was only enough for one squadron. Charles squadron lost the flip of a coin and all their aircraft were sent to the 86th Fighter Bomber Group. His group received some well used but flyable P-40s, the same planes the Flying Tigers used in China. He flew another 40 missions. Then for a week he was assigned transport duty flying a twin engine Cessna, "UC-78 Bobcat", from Naples to Anzio. His claim to fame is he transported General Mark Clark to Anzio Beach. On this flight four Spitfire fighters escorted him. He finished his overseas flying with 15 missions in a P-47 Thunderbolt.
He returned to the U.S. to teach flying in the P-40 and finished his career flying in a squadron of P-51 target aircraft for Bl 7 crew photo gunnery training. Charles Dills stated “Great duty, and a great way to end a career".
In summary Charles flew 94 missions and survived two major crash landings in damaged aircraft. Of the 42 pilots that were shipped overseas with him, he was one of 17 that survived. I believe he owes his good fortune to his own skill, paying attention to details and a lot of GOOD LUCK.
Charles retired as a Major in the USAF Reserves.
Using the GI Bill, Charles went back to college eventually graduating with a Ph. D. in Chemistry from Harvard. After holding a number of teaching and research position Charles acquired a Chemistry teaching position at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California. He retired from this position 27 years later. Charles married Sauny English in 1961, had two children and now has one grandchild.
For more information on Retired Major Charles Dills you may check his web site: www.charlies-web.com.