Charles Beautiful wife, "Little Gussie" :) From his proud son, Stan. 1943, her name is Martha.

Charles trained in the 17th Bomb Group with the B-26 Medium Bombers. B-25's were so new that they were fitted for Combat Duty. Charles most probably received his "Crash Combat Course" in a B-25 at Greenville AAB, SC the 344th Bomb Group "Aid From Above". (Pun intended :)

Charles flew across the Atlantic in the "now famous" Knapp Flight-Over in the 446th BS Flag Ship with the C. O. Henry Schwane. Feb. 1943 First successful flight-over in a single mass with out LOSS ! Gen Bob Knapp's 321st BG.

Bronze Star -Reeves, Sept'44 Awarded to Charles Reeves in 1944.

Charles proud son STAN and his "girl" Miss Sophie at home. Stan is providing the pictures and info on his Dad during the War.

Bronze Star -Reeves, Sept'44 446th BS War Diary reference to M/Sgt Charles Reeves receiving the Bronze Star.

Charles War-Bride… Now and then ! "Little Gussie" Martha Reeves, 2009

Martha "Little Gussie' Portrait" in a Plexiglass Windshield B-25 Frame.

Details on the "Special" B-25 Turret Plexiglass Frame.

Built in 1907, the Bessie Lee was on of DeRidder's finest Hotels. By Stan Reeves, son of Charles Reeves.

Bessie Lee Hotel receipt for a stay in remote DeRidder, LA. Final training post before POE to N. Africa. It was barely affordable, $3.50 per night for wives who followed their boys, yet a huge upgrade from the facilities across the tracks. AFTER 2 days wait in the Lobby ! By Martha Reeves, Charles wife.

Silk Map of North Africa.

AAC Silk Map of North Africa, carried in the Survival Pack, part of their parachute.

Charles Reeves joined the Army 11 Dec. 1939. He resided in Woodward County. His address at enlistment was just "Supply, Oklahoma". He had completed 2 yeas of college and by the time WW II was declared, he was fully ready for the Army Air Corps. Although he was a M/Sgt in Armament, he was flown over in the "Gen Bob Knapp" (The Big Hop!) Flight Over the Atlantic in ship #42-53377, The Flag-Ship of the 446th BS with Capt. Henry Schwane as his Pilot. This "now famous" HOP was the 1st flight across the Atlantic in a single mass without loss.

**War Diary, 447th Bombardment Squadron:

"The 321st, commanded by Col. Robert Knapp, was the first group to fly from the United States to an overseas base in a single mass flight. It was also the first to use tail and waist guns in the B-25s. During more than 18 months of Combat Operations in this theater, the unit bagged eight enemy fighters for every bomber it lost."**

Photo's and Stories to come from his Proud son, Stan Reeves.

M/Sgt Charles Reeves was the youngest M/Sgt in the US AAC.

1) After a week’s stay at the Bessie Lee Hotel, M/sgt. Charles Reeves kissed his 19 year-old war bride Martha good-by to wage war against the Axis powers in North Africa.“Bessie Lee Hotel (receipt for a stay in remote) DeRidder, LA, final air training site before P.O.E. North Africa. It was barely affordable ($3.50 per night) for wives who followed the boys, yet, a huge up-grade from the facilities “across the tracks” … after a two day wait in the hotel lobby!” By Martha Reeves, wife of M/sgt. Charles Reeves. 2010

2) Erected in 1907, the Bessie Lee is one of DeRidder's oldest hostelries. It was at the time considered to be the best hotel between Shreveport and Lake Charles. At one time there were thirty rooms, each with outside exposure, and plenty of ventilation. One-half of the rooms had private baths and the remaining rooms had connecting baths. By Stan Reeves, son of Msgt. Charles Reeves.

As told to Barbi Ennis Connolly, 321stBG Historian

U.S. Department Of Veterans Affairs
CHARLES FULTON Reeves
M SGT US ARMY AIR FORCES
WORLD WAR II
DATE OF BIRTH: 06/11/1920
DATE OF DEATH: 02/02/2001
BURIED AT:
FAIRLAWN CEMETERY
501 BROADWAY FORT SUPPLY, OK 73841

Charles F Reeves