Charles Robert Kittle was born on January 30, 1923. He was the son of Howard V. Kittle and Beulah M. Kittle. He served in the 84th Troop Squadron, 437th Troop Carrier Group as a Sergeant during World War II.

SGT Kittle lost his life on June 6, 1944. He was one the crew of the C-47 Skytrain #42-100803. The crew was taking part in their first combat mission during D-Day over Normandy, France. After all paratroopers bailed out, the aircraft was shot down by the German flak, dove into the ground and crashed in a field near Cherbourg. All four crew members were killed. SSGT Kittle was declared Missing in Action and is memorialized on the Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-sur-Mer, France.

C-47 #42-100803 crew:
Pilot: 1st Lt. Jack A Lawson, KS
Co Pilot: 2nd Lt. Donald W Handegaard, MN
Radio Operator: Sgt. Charles R Kittle, OH
Bombardier: T/Sgt. Henry S Maranz, NJ

Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov, www.fold3.com