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© Picture ~ Copyright Michael V. Drachman 2014 ~ All rights reserved

Charles W. Floyd Jr.

First Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Forces
351st Bomber Squadron, 100th Bomber Group, Heavy
Service / ASN #: O-797983
Entered the Service From: Tennessee
Enlisted: March 29, 1942, Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Rank @ ToE: Private
Branch: Air Corps
Comp: National Guardsmen
Residence: Shelby County, Tennessee, USA
Nativity: Tennessee, USA
Education: 2 years of college
Occupation: Unskilled occupations in production of chemical products, n.e.c.
Marital Status: Single w/o dependents
Born: 1917, Tennessee, USA
Date of Death: September 03, 1943

1Lt Charles W. Floyd Jr. was killed in a massive mid-air collision in the Paris, France area. A salvoed bomb a group flying higher hit the No# 3 engine of aircraft 42-30059 (Barkers Burdens) piloted by 1/Lt Charles Floyd, which collided with aircraft 42- 5865 piloted by Lt Victor Fienup, resulting in loss of control. The aircraft piloted by Lt. Richard King received a direct falk burst amidships and sudden moved upward striking aircraft piloted by Lt Charles Floyd, this aircraft exploded.

Buried:Section D Row 7 Grave 40
Site GPS: 49.36059,-0.855413
Normandy American Cemetery
Colleville-sur-Mer, France

Citations and Awards:

Purple Heart

The Purple Heart is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who after 5 April 1917 have been wounded or killed in action against an enemy of the United States or an opposing armed force, while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict, as the result of acts of enemy or hostile opposing forces, as a result of terrorist attacks or attacks on peacekeeping forces since 28 March 1973, or by friendly fire in circumstance as described above.

Air Medal

The Air Medal, established by Executive Order on 11 May 1942 and amended by Executive Order on 11 September 1942, is awarded to a person who, while serving with the United States Armed Forces, has distinguished himself or herself by meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight. Awards may recognize single acts of heroism or merit, or may recognize sustained meritorious service over a period of six months or more. The Air Medal primarily recognizes personnel on flight status requiring frequent participation in aerial flight. It may be awarded to personnel not on flight status whose duties require frequent flight other than in a passenger status. The Air Medal ranks behind the Distinguished Flying Cross in order of precedence.

Madeleine and Charles on their wedding day.

The last picture of the Charles W. Floyd family together.

Cut from a special edition of the Southwestern News (now Rhodes College), Memphis, Tennessee dated July, 1945. I found this paper in my father's WWII Memorabilia.