Charles L. Simons was born in 1917, in New York. He served in the 601st Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Sergeant and Tail Gunner of B-17 #42-97394 nicknamed ''Kentucky Colonel'' during World War II.

On August 8, 1944, during a mission targeting German positions near Cauvincourt, France, the aircraft was struck by enemy flak over the target area. The damage disabled the No. 4 engine and the tail wheel, leading to a crash near Falaise, France. Of the crew, eight members survived and returned to duty, while the tail gunner was killed in action.

Sgt Simons was Killed in Action and is now buried in the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial, Colleville-sur-Mer, Departement du Calvados, Basse-Normandie, France. Charles L. Simons' name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 19, in the bottom right wing (section D).

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com, b17flyingfortress.de, www.398th.org