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| Lt. Charles Head was an A-36 pilot with the 27th Fighter Group in Italy. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/98786048/charles-a-head http://www.americanairmuseum.com/unit/238 |
Charles A. Head never had a chance to reach 100 years old today. Instead, he sacrificed his life for our freedom.
He was born on October 4, 1919 in Bedford, Tennessee. His parents Joseph and Betty were also both born in Tennessee. His father worked as a farmer. By 1930 the family had moved to South Wichita, Oklahoma where Joseph was also a farmer. He died in 1931. Charles had two older brothers, two older sisters, one younger brother, and one younger sister. By 1940 Charles had completed four years of high school. He worked as a farmer, supporting his widowed mother. He also worked as a photographer.
He enlisted in the army on January 30, 1941. At some point he volunteered and was accepted into the Army Air Forces. He got his fighter pilot wings in January 1943. He eventually became a second lieutenant in the 522nd Fighter Squadron, 27th Fighter Group, 12th Air Force. The 27th Fighter Group started the war in the Philippines and then moved to Australia. Over the months it lost most of its planes and was then disbanded with the designation reverted back to the states for a new unit. The new 27th FG was sent to the Mediterranean Theater. That was the one Lt. Head was a part of. It was originally equipped with A-20s, but these were switched to A-36 Mustangs (the fighter-bomber version of the P-51). It provided tactical bombing support for army units in Sicily and Italy.
Lt. Head died on September 26, 1943 from wounds received after a jeep his was in ran over a landmine.
His grave is at New Hope Cemetery in Meeker, Oklahoma.
Last year on this date I profiled Distinguished Flying Cross hero and B-24 waist gunner Gerald Murphy. You can read about Gerald here.
On behalf of the fallen, if you would like to see more people become aware of this project to honor the WW2 fallen, be sure to share with others on Twitter, Facebook, etc. Thanks for your interest!
I created this video to explain why I started this project: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXt8QA481lY.
Please consider joining the public Facebook group to increase the exposure of this project. Go to: WW2 Fallen 100
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