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donkirk
3/3/2012 5:09:49 PM | Charles Claude Kirkman was born in Exeter, California, 23 Dec 1922, and died in Exeter 23 Feb 2012, aged 89 years two months. On 21 Aug 1942 he married his high school sweetheart Frances, who survives him. He also leaves sons Jan, David, and Gregory and daughter Rebecca and their families as well as siblings Don and Richard Kirkman and Jeanne Rose and their families. He was the last survivor of the crew of Capt. Richard D. McCord, for whom he had great admiration.
Charles was drafted on 12 Mar 1943 and assigned to radio operator training at Scott Field, IL before being assigned to the 401st Bomb Group. He flew 30 missions as radio operator for Capt. Richard McCord's crew. He was credited with three additional missions, filling in for unavailable radio operators on the June 22 1944 mission to Frevent, France with an unnamed crew and on the 11 July 1944 mission to Munich flying with Capt. Frank Ball's crew. On 16 August 1944 all of Capt. McCord's enlisted crew flew the Group mission to Schkeuditz with Lt. James Knost's officers (in Diana Queen of the Chase).
Like most veterans, Charles was proud to have done his duty as expected under all circumstances. He and Frances kept in touch with their crewmates as long as they were able, both at reunions and in their homes, as the others slipped away one by one. Charles had greatly hoped to attend the Colorado Springs 2012 reunion in spite of his failing health, but instead he has gone on ahead to the reunion with his other friends.
An incident during one mission allowed Charles to brag just a bit. Returning across the Channel after a mission the group flew into heavy fog that shrouded everything. The planes were trying to keep in touch with zero visibility and poor radio contact. Charles tuned for other signals, and heard a station somewhere towards Scandinavia. With that solid contact his pilot and navigator were able make a heading for home, and they got back to base ahead of the rest of the group.
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EDanaII
3/4/2012 8:06:22 AM | 
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donaldbyers
3/4/2012 1:53:44 PM | We salute him and regards to the family......
Don
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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Mac McCord
6/27/2014 1:51:06 PM | My name is Ken McCord. My father was Richard D. McCord, pilot in the 401st bomb group, 612th squadron. I am one of 5 children, all of us still here. So is my mother, Marion, 87. She remembers many of my dad's crew members but not all. She is here with me as I write this, but does not recall any details of Charles. She does recall that everyone who served on my dad's crew were very dedicated and committed, and they all enjoyed working together as a team.
I have just discovered the 401st bomb group association and I have joined as a member. I live in southern California and I am planning to attend the 2014 Reunion in San Diego in August.
Please contact me if you would like, I would be very interested in hearing from you.
Ken McCord
kmccord001@socal.rr.com
714-271-0728 cell
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EDanaII
6/27/2014 6:14:28 PM | Ken,
I'm glad to see you managed to overcome your problem with your login. Welcome aboard, both to our web site and to our Association and I look forward to meeting you at our Reunion.
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donaldbyers
6/29/2014 5:25:46 AM | Ken,
Yes glad to have you with us and also that you will be attending the Reunion!!!!
Don Byers
Group Historian
Sgt. Donald C. Byers, 613th Bomb Squadron, Togglier, 42-97344 Carrie B II, KIA 08/24/1944.
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