2nd Lt. Charles G. Reynolds
U.S. Army Air Force, 5th Air Force, 345th Bomb Group, 498th Bomb Squadron
B-25D "Impatient Virgin" 41-30046 Co-Pilot November 27, 1943 Missing In Action (MIA)

Background
Charles G. Reynolds was born in June 16, 1919 to parents John Reynolds and Mrs. John Reynolds in Bridgeport, Ohio. Nicknamed Chuck. He attended Bridgeport High School and played basketball and volleyball. He attended Washington & Jefferson College class of 1941 was a star All-American basketball player. After graduation, he worked as an office clerk.

Wartime History
On November 10, 1941 at Fort Thomas in Kentucky he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force (USAAF) as an aviation cadet with serial number 15068576. He attended flight school at Randolph Field in Texas and advanced flight school and graduated as a bomber pilot. On July 3, 1942 he earned his wings at Ellington Field in Texas and was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant with serial number O-661563. Sent overseas to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA). Assigned to the 5th Air Force (5th AF), 345th Bombardment Group (345th BG) "Air Apaches", 498th Bombardment Squadron (498th BS) "Falcons".


Mission History
On November 27, 1943 took off from Port Moresby as co-pilot aboard B-25D "Impatient Virgin 41-30046 by Captain William L. Kizzire leading the formation of B-25s on a low level strike against Boram Airfield near Wewak. The weather was scattered clouds at 3,000' with visibility unlimited. This B-25 was part of the third wave over the target and enemy anti-aircraft fire had increased.

While strafing a small wooden vessel in Wewak Harbor, hit by 20mm anti-aircraft gunfire from a freighter anchored off Cape Moen. This B-25 sustained damaged to the right engine. Over the radio, pilot Kizzire was heard to state: "God almighty, I can't feather it... It hit the oil sump. I can't feather the engine."

Returning, this B-25 successfully ditched into Murik Lagoon, with the tail and rear fuselage remaining above the water. Another bomber in the formation took a photograph of the B-25 and two of the crew. The crew were observed to get to ashore. Supplies and an escape map were dropped to them. Although the crew was observed after the ditching, all were officially listed as Missing In Action (MIA).

Recovery of Remains
During 2019, a recovery team from Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) working near Murik found possible material evidence associated with this case and later resulted in the disinterment of unknown (X-File) X-4180 at at Manila American Cemetery. By January 8, 2020 the remains in the unknown grave were and were shipped to the Central Identification Laboratory (CILHI) laboratory testing. These remains were identified as Reynolds using dental, analysis evidence and mtDNA analysis. On July 18, 2023 Reynolds was accounted for by the Department of Defense (DoD).

Memorials
Reynolds was officially declared dead on January 22, 1946. He earned the Air Medal and Purple Heart, posthumously. After his remains were identified, a rosette was added to his name to indicate he has been accounted for. Reynolds is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. After his identification, a rosette was added next to his name. He also has a memorial marker at Weeks Cemetery in Bridgeport, OH in a family plot near his parent's grave. On September 23, 2023 after his remains were identified, he was buried at this same grave with full military honors.

Relatives
Charles "Chuck" Marty (nephew of Reynolds)

References
Bridgeport High School Yearbook, Charles G. Reynolds
NARA World War II Army Enlistment Records - Charles G. Reynolds
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - Charles G. Reynolds
FindAGrave - 1Lt Charles G Reynolds (tablets of the missing)
The Evening Review "Sporting Angle" December 9, 1943 page 12
The Pittsburgh Press "Report Raises Hopes For Missing Flier" January 29, 1944 page 2
Warpath Across The Pacific (1996) pages 37 (photo), 52 (map), 55 (October 12, 1943), 63 (October 16, 1943), 93-96 (November 27, 1943), 95 (photos), 96 (photo ditched), 367 (November 27, 1943 crew list), 381 (498th BS, 41-30046), (index Impatient Virgin, Kizzire), 445 (index Reynolds)
DPAA Personnel Profile - 1st Lt. Charles G. Reynolds
DPAA News Release - Airman Accounted for from WWII (Reynolds, C.) September 11, 2023 via Wayback Machine September 19, 2023
DPAA Report "CIL 2020-133-I-01 First Lieutenant Charles George Reynolds" via Charles "Chuck" Marty

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