Thomas Nixon Charles was born in McMinn County but lived most of his life in Knox County. He was the son of William Boyd Charles and Virginia Knox Darr. He married Lila Tew Witsell on October 4, 1934, in Shelby, Tennessee. He was graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1929.
Observer on the B-17/Squadron Commander, 403rd Bomb Sqdn, 43rd Bomb Grp. MIA/KIA while following Japanese destroyers near Umboi Island, either Dampier Strait/Vitiaz Strait, New Guinea. All eleven crew lost and were MIA.
B-17F-25-BO Flying Fortress Serial Number 41-24546
Pilot 2nd Lt John E. Titus, O-435715 (MIA / KIA) IA
Observer Major Thomas N. Charles, O-277364 C. O., 403rd BS (MIA / KIA) FL
Crew 2nd Lt Randall O. Cotton, O-726194 (MIA / KIA) TX
Crew 2nd Lt John E. Titus, O-435715 (MIA / KIA) IA
Crew 2nd Lt Harry O. Davis, Jr., O-725056 (MIA / KIA) PA
Crew 2nd Lt James R. Ozanne, Jr., O-726014 (MIA / KIA) IL
Crew S/Sgt Merle L. Hartburg, 12024069 (MIA / KIA) NY
Crew Sgt Omar B. Benson, 18060281 (MIA / KIA) TX
Crew Sgt Alvin D. Futhey, 18052685 (MIA / KIA) OK
Crew Sgt Charles Goldsmith, 13046011 (MIA / KIA) PA
Crew Cpl Jay C. Asher, 17024475 (MIA / KIA) WY
Crew Cpl Richard J. Evans, 17038314 (MIA / KIA) NE
MIA November 29, 1942
MACR none
The Knoxville Journal, 25 January 1946
Maj. Thomas Nixon Charles has been declared officially dead by the War Department, a member of his family said yesterday. Major Charles, son of the late Mr. and Mrs. W.B. Charles of Knoxville, has been missing for more than three years. He was lost on a mission over Lei, near New Guinea. Major Charles is survived by his wife, Mrs. Lila Witsell Charles, of Memphis and Berkeley, Calif.; a brother, Boyd Charles, and two sisters, Mrs. Shelby Layman and Mrs. John Tatem, all of Knoxville; and two other sisters, Mrs. H.H. Lyon, Jacksonville, Fla., and Mrs. L.R. Haigler, Haynesville, Ala. Major Charles graduated from the University of Tennessee in 1929 and was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity and president of his senior class.
- Rank: Major
- Date of birth: 23 December 1905
- Date of death: 29 November 1942
- County: McMinn
- Hometown: Calhoun
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 403rd Bomber Squadron, 43rd Bomber Group
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Lynnhurst Cemetery, Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XV, Bottom Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Thomas N. Charles
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