World War II vet flies with old unit 65 years later

Published Aug. 19, 2010
By Jerry Green
440th Airlift Wing

POPE AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. -- When crew chief Sgt. Charles Bullard jumped out of a C-47 in September 1945, he and many of his war buddies were grateful to be back in "the good old U.S. of A."

Mr. Bullard was 18 when he enlisting in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1941. He went to school to learn how to maintain the latest military transport, the C-47 "Gooney Bird." By 1943, he found himself assigned to the newly organized 440th Troop Carrier Group and soon arrived at Pope Army Air Field, N.C.

"Pope Field was a busy place in those days with all the training going on," Mr. Bullard said.

Sixty-five years later in July 2010, Mr. Bullard boarded a C-130 transport aircraft at Pope AFB and flew with Airmen young enough to be his grandchildren.

During the Employer Support for Guard and Reserve tour, Mr. Bullard was the guest of the ESGR receiving special "VIP" status by the aircrew and fellow passengers.

Wearing his official Air Force flight suit with the special nametag, 440th Airlift Wing Honorary Command Chief, Charles Everett Bullard was excited to go on his first military mission in more than six decades.

The ESGR tour enabled more than 40 employers and business leaders from North Carolina to get an up-close look at the National Guard and Reserve mission in North Carolina and New York.

Mr. Bullard, now 87 years young, could not express enough how much he enjoyed the trip, even though many of his fellow passengers assured him they were honored by his presence during the two-day tour.

Mr. Bullard reflected on his last flight in 1945.

"We were so happy to be back home in 1945, and I was grateful to return home in the same C-47 that took me to England," he said.

Reflecting on his 440th heritage, Mr. Bullard said he has always felt he had a "Guardian Angel" looking after him and returning him home safe and sound.