Memorial

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Charles G. Coleman initially enlisted into the New York National Guard on 27 January 1941, in which he served through May 1943.

On his death:
This aircraft was in the lead position of the lead Group of a Combat Wing. All aircraft were on the bomb run flying at 25,000 feet. Weather was clear with no undercast as the bomb run was begun. At altitude, clouds were encountered as the bomb run progressed. Clouds became solid, so the Group began descent so at to get under them.

Just as the Group emerged from the upper clouds and leveled off, flying at 23,000 feet, the Group was attacked by a close formation of about 40-70 S/E enemy A/C which were practically directly on top of our formation. Two passes were made on the Group, both being head-on in close formation and well pressed.

About 80 enemy A/C were in the formation making the second attack. This aircraft was last seen in the target area and dropped out of formation after the second enemy A/C attack. One chute was seen from this aircraft and it is believed that three others from this A/C were observed in the vicinity of where the A/C was last seen. No other information available.

1st Lt Charles G. Coleman was seen alive when the navigator left the ship. German authorities told a crewmember that his remains were buried in a small town 60 miles West of Berlin. His body was recovered 2 miles North of Ribbeck.

1st Lt Coleman was buried in the Community Cemetery of Ribbeck, Germany on 21 April 1944.