The current guardian of this Remembrance Page is A3C Michael S. Bell (Unit Historian).
If you knew or served with this Airman and have additional information or photos to support this Page,
please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s)
HERE
This Remembrance Profile was originally created by CMSgt Don Skinner - Deceased
Casualty Info
Home Town Kannapolis
Last Address 32nd Bomb Squadron Lucera, Italy
Casualty Date Feb 25, 1944
Cause MIA-Finding of Death
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Land
Location Germany
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment American Cemetery - Ardennes, Belgium
Charles Hughes Alexander was born on May 21, 1921 in Kannopolis, North Carolina to John W. and Maggie White Alexander. The US Census 1930 shows the family in Township 4, Carrubus County, North Carolina while the US Census 1940 has them living in Kannapolis.
Alexander was drafted and inducted into military service at Camp Croft, South Carolina on August 13, 1942. His enlistment papers state he had completed 4 years of high school, and was employed as a textile worker.
Assigned to the Army Air Forces, he was trained as an aerial gunner. Upon completing the course, he was sent overseas to a unit in North Africa. While with this unit, he flew at least 40 missions. On February 25, 1944, he and a crew were sent to bomb the ball-bearing plant at Regensberg, Germany.
About 30 minutes from the IP, the aircraft was attacked by German fighters and shot down. The wing gas tanks ruptured and caught fire, all 4 engines were set ablaze, and an internal fire swept the ship from nose to tail. Observers noted several parachutes, but then the aircraft exploded.
German records state one airman was recovered from the wreckage,with no identification. He was buried the next day in Baden Kirchen. They also reported finding three other bodies in the area, one with a gunshot in the chest. These were identified as Greenwood, Frost, and Alexander. They were buried at Holzhaus.
After the war, Alexander was recovered and moved to the Ardennes American Cemetery in Belgium where he lies in Plot C, Row 9, Grave 10.
www.findagrave.com
www.ancestry.com
www.abmc.gov
www.301stbg.com/Missions_Macrs.cfm
www.fieldsofhonor-database.com/Ardennes/index
US Census 1930
US Census 1940
NARA Enlistment Records
Comments/Citation:
SSgt Charles H. Alexander was assigned as waist gunner on B-17F # 42-31664, not named, assigned to the 32nd Bomb Squadron.
Missing Air Crew Report 2593 covers this loss, plus German reports and observer/survivor statements appended. Mission loading lists show the crew as:
2 Lt David F. Paxton p
2 Lt Joseph R. Baughman c-p
2 Lt Joseph J. Chapas nav
2 Lt Frank H. Mullen bomb
TSgt Yick W. Joe eng/tt gun
SSgt Horace K. Greenwood r/o
SSgt Jack C. Frost btg
SSgt Charles H. Alexander wg
SSgt Joe D. Tate tail gunner
Sgt Timothy O'Connor photo
