Charles Joseph Searl was born on March 18, 1921. He was the son of Nile Wesley Searl and Josephine Elizabeth "Jo" Dube Searl. He was married to Arlie Irene Peterson Schuetz. He served in the 600th Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a First Lieutenant and Pilot of B-17 #42-107191 nicknamed ''Tomahawk Warrior'' during World War II.

On August 12, 1944, Tomahawk Warrior embarked on its 25th combat mission, targeting sites in France. Shortly after takeoff, the aircraft experienced mechanical issues, with two of its four engines catching fire. Despite the dire situation, the pilot managed to steer the failing bomber away from populated areas, ultimately crashing into a field at Lude Farm near Penn, Buckinghamshire. All nine crew members aboard perished in the crash.

1Lt Searl is now buried in the Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA. He also has a cenotaph in the Merrill Memorial Park, Merrill, Lincoln County, Wisconsin, USA. Charles J. Searl's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 13, in the top left wing (section A).

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com, www.398th.org