Charles Greffet Obituary
Charles Greffet Charles was born in 1920 Charleston, South Carolina. He worked in Sumter South Carolina for three years at the Palmetto Pigeon Plant. He entered the Army Air Corps in November 1941 as an Aviation Cadet. Received flying training at Bennettsville, South Carolina and at Shaw Field, Sumter, South Carolina. He received his wings in Valdosta, Georgia, in July of 1942 and was assigned to the 47th Bomb Group in Africa during the second World War. He remained with his organization until the end of the war as a bomber pilot. During World War II, he flew 132 bombing missions in Africa and Italy against the German axis for which he received two Distinguished Flying Crosses and returned from the war as a Major. In 1946 he married Bettie Kilpatrick from El Paso, Texas. He pioneered in the development of the first jet bomber in the North American B-45 at Barksdale AFB, Louisiana and Langley AFB, Virginia. He completed Squadron Officer’s course, Command and Staff School and Air War College in 1958. He served as Squadron Commander of the 117th Bomb National Guard Squadron at Langley AFB which trained air crews for the Korean War in 1951 and 1952. He served four assignments in South America as Air Force Attache in Argentina, Venezuela and Peru. He earned his Bachelor’s from the University of Maryland, and his Master’s from Georgetown University. Upon retirement from the Air Force in December 1970, he practiced Real Estate in Tucson, Arizona as an Agent for Denton Real Estate. Subsequently he developed his own firm. He was a member of Daedaleans and worked as a volunteer with St. Vincent de Paul. He and his wife also worked as volunteers at the Veteran’s Hospital. He is survived by this wife, Bettie and three children, Jeannine James from Virginia, Drucie Hart, and Bill Greffet from Tucson; three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Friends and family are invited to attend a Memorial Service on Friday, February 10, 2012 at 10:30 a.m. at Vistoso Funeral Home, 2285 E. Rancho Vistoso Blvd. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations to St. Vincent de Paul. Arrangements entrusted to ADAIR FUNERAL HOME, Avalon Chapel (742-7901).
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