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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
Specifications StatsCentral Model Lockheed P-38J Lightning Length 37.83 ft | 11.53 m Width 52.00 ft | 15.85 m Height 9.81 ft | 2.99 m Engine(s) 2 x Allison V-1710-111 water-cooled inline piston engines generating 1,425hp. Empty Weight 12,800 lbs | 5,806 kg MTOW 21,601 lbs | 9,798 kg Max Speed 414 mph | 666 km/h | 360 kts Max Range 2,237 miles | 3,600 km Ceiling 43,963 ft | 13,400 m | 8.3 miles Climb Rate 2,500 ft/min (762 m/min) Hardpoints 2 Armament 1 x 20mm Cannon 4 x 12.7mm machine guns
10 x 5in high-explosive rockets (optional) 2 x Drop Tanks (optional) 2 x 500lb bombs (optional)
Up to 4,000lbs (908kg) of underwing ordnance. Accommodations 1
