Lt. Charles Williston Hayes was a graduate of the 63rd Army Air Force Flying Training Detachment, Turner Field at Douglas, Georgia. Class 1944-A. He was flying what was thought to be his 15th combat mission. He appeared to be unhurt when he and the crew bailed out. It is speculated that he was killed by German soldiers on the ground.
Historical Note:
B-17-G AC#43-37920 was delivered to Cheyenne, Wyoming, 5th of June 1944, then delivered to Kearney, Nebraska on 19th of June 1944, then to Grenier, New Hampshire 30th of June 1944, then ferried to Polebrook, England on the 17th of July 1944 and assigned to the 511th Bomber Squadron 351st Bomber Group, with the designation DS-L.
Flying the 6th combat mission of this B-17, on the 6th of August 1944, this aircraft was to bomb an aircraft parts factory at Brandenburg, Germany. It was hit by flak and fighters until it was unable to fly and crashed at Wilhelmshorst, Germany. The following crew flew the ship’s last mission:
Pilot Lt George Uttley Jr. KIA Missouri.
Co-Pilot Lt Charles W Hayes KIA Tennessee.
Lt Milton A. Shier POW
Bombardier Lt James A. Ralston Jr. KIA Baltimore Maryland.
SSgt Cecil F. Badgett KIA.
SSgt Alvin Bernstein POW.
Sgt William T. Saunders KIA
Sgt Joe Garza KIA
Sgt Marion C. Covendale KIA
Charles Williston Hayes was a premed student at the University of Tennessee when he enlisted in the US Army Air Forces in WWII. He was a B17 pilot and was shot down and killed in an air raid to Berlin on August 6, 1944. He had married prior to enlisting and his son Tucky was born while he was in flight training in Georgia. His wife Helen had their daughter Linda after he went to England with the 511th Squadron of the 351th Bomb Group at Polbrook Airfield.
Enlisted on March 4, 1942
Parents: Tuckey John Tyler Hayes and Margaret Edna Kidd
Sibling: Tuckey John Tyler Hayes, Jr.
Married to Helen Juanita Farnham
Children: Tucky and Linda Hayes
Nicknamed: Billy
1st Cousin Charles Williston Hayes was a B17 Pilot with the 351st Bomb group 111th Squadron and was KIA on a mission over Germany on August 6, 1944.
–Submitted by John Freels
This is my 1st cousin once removed. My father idolized his older cousin who lived 1/4 mile down the road in Karns. My father spoke of him often and I have passed on his story to my own children and grandson, so that his memory remains alive.
–Submitted by David Freels
- Rank: Second Lieutenant
- Date of birth: 13 December 1921
- Date of death: 6 August 1944
- County: Knox
- Hometown: Knoxville
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 355th Bomber Squadron, 351st Bomber Group, Heavy
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Battles: Air War in Europe
- Awards: Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Ardennes American Cemetery, Neupré (Neuville-en-Condroz), Belgium
- Location In Memorial: Pillar VIII, Top Panel
- Sponsored by: John Freels, David Freels
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