Colonel Charles Messerli (USAF, Retired) was born and raised in Missouri. He was a 30 year veteran of the United States Air Force and during World War II was assigned to the 8th Air Force as a flight radio operator/side turret gunner on a B-24 bomber. His plane was shot down over France during the war and he spent almost a year as a prisoner of war. He was one of the thousands of POWs who were forced onto the European Long March for three months.
Following World War II he re-enlisted in the Air Force Cadet program and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He served in the United States, Okinawa, and as a combat pilot in Vietnam. His decorations included the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit and Distinguished Flying Cross.
He retired from the Air Force after 30 years and worked at Washington Reagan National Airport.
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, one son, a grandson, and seven brothers.
Following World War II he re-enlisted in the Air Force Cadet program and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He served in the United States, Okinawa, and as a combat pilot in Vietnam. His decorations included the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit and Distinguished Flying Cross.
He retired from the Air Force after 30 years and worked at Washington Reagan National Airport.
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, one son, a grandson, and seven brothers.
Colonel Charles Messerli (USAF, Retired) was born and raised in Missouri. He was a 30 year veteran of the United States Air Force and during World War II was assigned to the 8th Air Force as a flight radio operator/side turret gunner on a B-24 bomber. His plane was shot down over France during the war and he spent almost a year as a prisoner of war. He was one of the thousands of POWs who were forced onto the European Long March for three months.
Following World War II he re-enlisted in the Air Force Cadet program and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He served in the United States, Okinawa, and as a combat pilot in Vietnam. His decorations included the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit and Distinguished Flying Cross.
He retired from the Air Force after 30 years and worked at Washington Reagan National Airport.
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, one son, a grandson, and seven brothers.
Following World War II he re-enlisted in the Air Force Cadet program and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. He served in the United States, Okinawa, and as a combat pilot in Vietnam. His decorations included the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit and Distinguished Flying Cross.
He retired from the Air Force after 30 years and worked at Washington Reagan National Airport.
He was survived by his wife, two daughters, one son, a grandson, and seven brothers.
Gravesite Details
Col US Air Force, World War II, Korea, Vietnam
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