Charles Greeley Dodge Jr. was born on November 16, 1918. He was the son of Charles Greely Dodge and Lena McKenzie Dodge. He served in the 360th Bomber Squadron, 303rd Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Technical Sergeant and Tail Gunner of B-17F #42-5788 nicknamed 'Pluto's Avenger' and also known as 'A.O.G. Not in Stock,' during World War II.

On February 22, 1944, during Mission #111 to Aschersleben, Germany, B-17F #42-5788 Pluto's Avenger was attacked by German fighters. The aircraft remained in a controlled shallow dive with its #4 engine smoking before crashing near Duffel, 15 km southwest of Antwerp, Belgium. Tragically, four crew members died and six others became prisoners of war, while Major George Weinbrenner evaded capture and returned to the UK in September 1944.

TSgt Dodge was captured by German S/S troops and was not processed through the standard German POW procedures. After being wounded during interrogation, he was held at Stalag Luft 4 in Gross-Tychow, Pomerania, and forced to perform labor on a German farm until his liberation. TSgt Dodge died on November 15, 1987, and is now buried in the Seal Harbor Cemetery, Seal Harbor, Hancock County, Maine, USA.

Source of information: http://www.303rdbg.com/