Chuck Finley "Chuck" Mann was born on August 14, 1924, in McKenzie, Tennessee. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve on October 30, 1942, and entered the Aviation Cadet Program of the U.S. Army Air Forces on February 1, 1943. Mann was commissioned a 2d Lt and awarded his pilot wings on March 12, 1944, and then completed P-47 Thunderbolt Training before joining the 377th Fighter Squadron of the 362nd Fighter Group at Rheims, France, in November 1944. Lt Mann was credited with destroying 2 enemy aircraft in aerial combat while flying with the 377th FS, and then helped train P-47 pilots in Germany after the war ended. He returned to the U.S. in September 1945, and left active duty on December 14, 1945. Mann then served in the Air Force Reserve until April 5, 1949, when he joined the Tennessee Air National Guard. Capt Mann was recalled to active duty from April 1, 1951, to March 31, 1953, and then served in the Tennessee Air National Guard until his retirement on June 30, 1963. He was active in two associations he formed, the 362nd Fighter Group Association and the Ninth Air Force Association. Chuck Mann died on April 20, 1998 and is now buried in the Mount Olivet Cemetery, McKenzie, Carroll County, Tennessee, USA.
His Silver Star Citation reads:
First Lieutenant Charles F. Mann, 0716184, Air Corps, Army of the United States, distinguished himself by gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States on 17 March 1945. Flying as element leader in a P-47 aircraft, Lieutenant Mann observed an enemy antitank gun position that was seriously hampering the progress of advancing ground troops. Flying low through an intense barrage of antiaircraft fire he executed a low level rocket attack which silenced the enemy guns, and permitted our troops to advance unhindered. Although seriously wounded hand his aircraft badly damaged, Lieutenant Mann then pursued an enemy aircraft engaged in strafing our troops, and succeeded in destroying the enemy plane. The outstanding aerial proficiency, courage, and devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant Mann reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.
Source of information: www.findagrave.com, https://airforce.togetherweserved.com, http://veterantributes.org
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