Charles E. (Charlie) Wilson was born in 1924 in Galion, Ohio. He was raised in Louisville, Kentucky and lived close to the airport where he spent a great deal of time learning about flying.

On his 18th birthday, Wilson was accepted into the US Air Force as a flying school recruit — an achievement that pleased his father, who was also a pilot. Wilson completed his certification and was stationed in Europe.

He was involved in what is believed to be the first successful rescue of a downed flyer behind enemy lines during WWII, by a second aircraft. In 1944 Wilson and his group had just been unhooked from escorting a formation of B-24s back from a raid in Hungary. They were part of a 4th Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Group, based out of Madna, Italy. Major James Tyler led the flight of four to a rail marshalling yard.

After twenty minutes of strafing, they were low on both ammo and fuel. Just as they were about to head for home, one of them spotted a moving train and requested permission to attack. One pass was approved. Wilson hosed the cab area with his last 200 rounds of .50 caliber armor piercing incendiary bullets and the whole locomotive blew up just as he arrived overhead. The flying debris took out his coolant system and started a huge fire. He zoom-climbed to 5000 feet with flames from the engine fire coming back over the cockpit canopy. He cut the switches and fuel off, rolled the canopy back, unstrapped and swung one leg over the side. Just as he was about to bail out, the fire blew out. Wilson climbed back in and radioed to Lt. Straut that he intended to force land as far away from the town as he could glide. Just before
he landed he heard Maj. Exum respond, “I’ll be down to get
you, Charlie!”

A few moments later Major Exum landed nearby. However, there was a big drainage ditch in front of him and his tail wheel was stuck in a rut. A group of mounted enemy soldiers was already heading their way, shooting at them. Wilson got back under the tail and heaved, while Exum applied boots of power to the engine. Luckily the tail came up and around, blowing Wilson about thirty feet away! By now, their plane had three bullet holes! Wilson climbed into the cockpit, returning fire with his .45. He straddled Exum’s neck and away they went, with Wilson 1/3 of the way out of the cockpit. Exum destroyed Wilson’s aircraft with his remaining ammunition. At 100 miles out and running on fumes, the two decided they would risk it back to Madna instead of landing in Yugoslavia. They made it back!

Major Exum was awarded a Silver Star for his heroism. Wilson and Exum stayed in touch until Exums death. According to Charlie Wilson, “If it weren’t for Wyatt Exum, I probably wouldn’t be here, nor would my six children and grandchildren. I am forever indebted to him for that.”

Lt. Wilson completed 54 missions by the end of the war, had one kill of a Bf-109. He joined the Air National Guard and was recalled to active duty for the Korean War. Wilson instructed on T-33s in Belgium and finally retired as a Major. He currently lives in Orlando, Florida and avidly attends his squadron’s reunions every year.