Charles B. Walker was born on February 7, 1926. He served in the 602nd Bomber Squadron, 398th Bomb Group, as a Staff Sergeant and Ball Turret Gunner of B-17 #43-38652 nicknamed ''Stinker Jr'' during World War II.

On April 25, 1945, Stinker Jr took part in one of the final bombing missions of the 8th Air Force, targeting a railway yard near Pilsen, Czechoslovakia. After completing its second bomb run, the aircraft was hit by flak near its #3 engine, causing severe damage and a fire. Despite efforts to control the situation, an explosion broke off the right wing, and the bomber spiraled out of control and crashed. Out of the eight crew, only SSgt Walker was Killed in Action, and the remaining seven crew members managed to bail out and were returned to duty.

SSgt Walker is now buried in the Wilder Cemetery, Wilder, Canyon County, Idaho, USA. Charles B. Walker's name is inscribed on the Anstey Window Memorial in Panel 2 (center), on Butterfly 8, in the top right wing (section B).

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com, B-17 Flying Fortress.de, www.398th.org