Chuck Childs

Chuck Childs, 2007 

• Branch of Service: Air Force, Lt Col
• 2nd Bombardment Group, 96th Squadron
• Military Service: Enlisted, 1941 - 1961

Listen to the following sections by scrolling forward to the timecode.

0:00 - Joined National Guard; cadet school; flight instructor 
3:11 - Sent overseas 
7:30 - Combat flying; quadrant lead; flak; missions; two Distinguished Flying Crosses
14:20 - Lost engineer and bombardier during the mission; copilot, radio operator, and navigator were injured 
17:30 - Though missions and war stats (B-17)   

Chuck Childs Obituary

At age 24 - flying his B-17 dubbed "Gravel Gertie" - Chuck Childs was "the old man" to the 18- to 23-year-olds he served with in Italy.

Childs keeps memorabilia in frames on the wall of his Rapid City home.At the center of this display is a picture of a B-17 cockpit.

For more information about SDPB's educational resources 
and services contact Steven Rokusek at
EdServices@sdpb.org or at (605) 222-3422

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