Charles T. Cleaton.
Bombardier · 329th Squadron · Of Cleveland, OH.
The Man Behind the Name
From the 2nd Air Division Association Yearbook
Off to Hardwick, England in July 1943 as a bombardier and radar operator in the 93rd Bomb Group, 329th Sqdn. Flew 30 missions over Europe, a few of which were Berlin, Paris, Oslo, Vegesack, Rjukan, Bremen, Emden, and Alencon, the most memorable one being D-day, June 6, 1944.
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross with Oak Leaf, Air Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, European Theater Operation with two Battle Stars.
Returned to Boca Raton, FL in July 1944 and instructed radar. Was discharged on Sept. 20, 1945 with the rank of captain.
Service record.
Missions flown.
The missions below are those we have been able to document for this airman, drawn from flight logs, mission records, and archival sources. It is not necessarily a complete account of every mission flown; gaps may reflect missing documentation, transferred assignments, or records lost to time.
Before and after.
Charles T. Cleaton was born on Nov. 30, 1921 in Portsmouth, VA. They moved to Cleveland, OH in 1923. He enlisted in the USAAC on Jan. 20, 1942 and was stationed at Santa Ana and King City, CA; and Albuquerque, NM. Was commissioned in March 1943 and sent to Boise and Pocatello, ID.
Charles Cleaton married and has three children, six grandchildren, and one great-grandchild. He retired in 1987 and enjoys playing bridge, cruising, and spending time with his family.