Charles Leroy “Chuck” Voogd was born on June 29, 1919, in Dexter, Mower County, Minnesota. He was the son of John George Voogd and Lillian May Wigham Cole. He was married to Lois M. Hallman Voogd. He served in the 716th Bomber Squadron, 449th Bomber Group, as a Staff Sergeant and Waist Gunner of B-24J #42-64462 nicknamed “Stinky the B.T.O.” during World War II.

On February 22, 1944, the B-24J “Stinky the B.T.O.” joined the Regensburg mission during “Big Week.” On the return flight, the bomber was struck by flak and attacked by fighters before exploding in mid-air. It crashed near Wenigzell, Styria, Austria, resulting in the deaths of three crew members, while the remaining seven were captured and spent the rest of the war as prisoners of war.

SSgt Voogd was captured and imprisoned at Stalag Luft IV, Gross-Tychow, Pomerania, Prussia. After the war, he worked as a lineman for Austin Utilities for 34 years, retiring in 1981. He was active in Christ Episcopal Church, the American Legion Post #91, and V.F.W. Post #1216. He died on September 22, 2001, and is now buried in the Oakwood Cemetery, Austin, Mower County, Minnesota, USA.

Source of information: 449th.com, www.findagrave.com