OUR HISTORY

                         USAF PHOTO VIA ELMER ROSS

Col. Charles King (center) briefs his pilots (l to r) Capt. Armand Parker,  Capt. Clyde Markley, Capt Lee Kirk and 2LT. Wayne "Oly" Johnson, all from the 318 FIS, before leaving in their F-102's for the 1958 William Tell Meet at Tyndall AFB, FL.

                         USAF PHOTO VIA ELMER ROSS

Col Charles W King was born in Columbus, Ohio September 8 1919. He attended school in that city and later completed three tears of college at Xavier University, Cincinnati, Ohio. 

He entered service in 1940 as a Flying Cadet, graduating with class 41-D at Selma, Alabama. His first duty assignment was with the 39th Pursuit Squadron, Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan. 

When the unit moved to the South Pacific in 1942, Colonel King went along and later served in the capacity as Squadron Commander for the 39th Fighter Squadron, New Guinea. During World War II, he completed 450 combat hours and 201 combat missions in P-38 (Lightning) and P-39’s (Aircobra). He scored five victories (fighter Ace). 

In 1944, the Colonel returned to ZI and was assigned to the 412th Group Muroc Flight Test Base, California. Later he commanded the 29th Squadron under the 412th Group. During his assignment he was one of the first three tactical pilots to fly in the original XP-80 (Shooting Star). 

Returning overseas again in 1945, Colonel King became Director of Operations for the Fifth Air Force. A brief duty of temporary duty sent him to  Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado as a technical advisor on a historical film project, after which he returned to Japan. In December 1946 he became Deputy Commander and Operations Officer of the 49th Fighter Group in Japan, shortly there after he assumed command of the 82nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron there.  

Returning to the United States in 1950, Colonel King was again assigned to Selfridge Air Force Base as Group Operations Officer for the 56th Fighter-Interceptor Group, and in June of that year became squadron commander for the 63rd Fighter-Interceptor Squadron, 56th Fighter-Interceptor Group at Selfridge. In January 1951 he moved his squadron to Oscoda Air Force Base, Michigan (renamed Wurtsmith Air Force Base on July 4 1953), and assumed command of the Base. 

In September 1951 he reported to Headquarters, Air Defense Command, Ent Air Force Base, Colorado as Chief, Plans Division. 

Col. King went to Korea in July 1952 as Deputy Wing Commander of the 4th Fighter –Interceptor Wing. While in Korea he amassed 93 combat hours and flew 66 combat missions in the  F-86’s (Sabre).  

In January 1953 he represented the Commander of the Fifth Air Force on the Staff of Vice Admiral J.J. Clark, Commander of the Seventh  Fleet. This assignment ended in March 1953 and the Colonel became Chief, Training and Operations Services Division, Fifth Air Force, Korea.  

The following August he reported to Geiger Field, Spokane, Washington, as Deputy of Operations 4702nd Defense Wing.  

With the forming of the 9th Air Division a year later, Colonel King remained as Deputy of Operations for the Division, the position he held until his transfer to McChord as Commander of the 325th Fighter Wing  (Air Defense), effective 16 July 1958. 

Colonel King is a command pilot and is checked out in both jet and conventional aircraft. He is currently flying the F-102A (Delta Dagger).  

He has earned the following awards and decorations: Silver Star Medal, Legion of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Medal with five Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Pacific Campaign Medal with five Bronze Stars, Air Force Reserve Medal, Army Occupation Metal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal. 

Colonel and Mrs. King are the parents of two children, Gary 13 and Harold, 8. They reside ant 3403 Alder St. S. W.