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Contact Info
Home Town New Orleans
Last Address Colorado
Date of Passing Jan 06, 1992
Location of Interment Fort Logan National Cemetery (VA) - Denver, Colorado
Charles E. Adams was born on September 22, 1919 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Presumably, he attended and graduated from high school there.
In March 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was trained in military intelligence. He then applied for and was accepted in the U.S. Army Air Forces Aviation Cadet Program. Entering in July 1942, he completed his training and graduated on July 28, 1943. He was given his pilot's wings and a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant at Williams Field, Arizona that date.
After receiving advanced training in the P-38 Lightning fighter aircraft, Adams was assigned to the 95th Fighter Squadron of the 82nd Fighter Group, based in Italy. He arrived at the base in January 1944. In the course of his time there, he flew combat missions and bomber escort. He was credited with the shooting down of 6 German fighter aircraft, giving him the designation of "Ace."
Captain Adams returned to the United States in August 1944. He served as an instructor pilot until he was discharged on August 6, 1945.
He enrolled in the Colorado School of Mines and later received his bachelor's degree in Petroleum Engineering. He sought and found employment in the oil industry, and remained in that capacity until he retired in 1983.
Aircraft/Missile Information
General characteristics
* Crew: two (student and instructor) * Length: 29 ft (8.84 m) * Wingspan: 42 ft (12.81 m) * Height: 11 ft 8 in (3.57 m) * Wing area: 253.7 ft (23.6 m) * Empty weight: 4,158 lb (1,886 kg) * Loaded weight: 5,617 lb (2,548 kg) * Powerplant: 1 Pratt & Whitney R-1340-AN-1 Wasp radial engine, 600 hp (450 kW)
Performance
* Maximum speed: 208 mph at 5,000 ft (335 km/h at 1,500 m) * Cruise speed: 145 mph (233 km/h) * Range: 730 miles (1,175 km) * Service ceiling 24,200 ft (7,400 m) * Rate of climb: ft/min (m/s) * Wing loading: lb/ft (kg/m) * Power/mass: hp/lb (kW/kg)
Armament
* Provision for up to 3 0.30 in (7.62 mm) machine gun
