An Education Interrupted
by Chloe Allison
Charles Ezra Adams Jr. (source: veterantributes.org)
Charles Ezra Adams Jr.
September 22, 1919-January 6, 1992
World War Two was a difficult time for many Americans and other citizens all over the globe. The choice between country and self-preservation was difficult. Young men and women left their jobs, schools, and families to serve their country—whether they were going overseas to battle or just a few towns over to help collect money. These brave Americans made a choice that we may not understand. We will not have to sacrifice our education or careers in order to protect our country from enemies. This generation does not know the struggles of wanting to serve your country, but also wanted to follow your passions. Some veterans were lucky enough to survive the war and then come home and pick up where they left off. Charles Ezra Adams Jr. is one of those. He was always dedicated to his country—even after leaving the service—but also to himself. Charles did not let war prevent him from following his dreams.
Charles Ezra Adams Jr. was born in New Orleans, Louisiana on September 22, 1919. His parents, Beatrice and Charles Adams Sr., lived on Carrollton Avenue in the Third Ward of New Orleans in 1920.[1] The family of three lived in a house with Beatrice’s parents, her sister Mamie, and her husband George.[2] About five years after Charles was born, his mother gave birth to his younger brother Joseph.[3] The Adams family moved from New Orleans to Denver, Colorado around the year 1926.[4] The last of the Adams children, George, was born in Denver in 1928.[5] The family lived in a home on Lowell Boulevard in Denver, Colorado.
Charles graduated high school around the year 1937 and enrolled at the Colorado School of Mines to pursue a degree in petroleum refining engineering.[6] Although he was a student, Charles was still expected to sign up for the draft. Charles, also known as Charlie by his friends and family, filled out a World War Two draft card on October 16, 1940.[7] He was the eldest of the Adams children and the first to sign up for the draft, but the entire family was supportive of military service
Since it was becoming clear that he would be called up to serve, Charles Ezra Adams Jr. married Dorothy Moore on March 24, 1942.[8] Charles was drafted for service in 1942 which was when he joined the Army.[9] Charles was transferred to Santa Ana, California where he was assigned to the Air Corps.[10] The Air Corps is the original version of the Air Force in the United States Military. The United States quickly realized that they needed to take to the skies to defeat the German Air Force.[11] The Air Force was not an independent branch of the military until 1947—it was a branch of the US Army. During his first months with the Air Corps, Charles was sent to primary flight school and Twin Engine Advance. Charles was flying P-38s in California before he was sent to North Africa. Charles was stationed at the Fighter Training Command in Algeria before being assigned to 82nd Fighter Group of the 95th Fighter Squadron in 1944 in Italy.[12]
Charles was assigned to many different posts during his time in World War Two. He was briefly assigned to the Royal Air Force Gunnery School in Egypt where he flew Hurricanes and Spitfires before he went back to Foggia, Italy. Charles completed fifty missions in Italy while flying his P-38, Judith Ann. First Lieutenant Charles Adams received two personal awards, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with twelve clusters, and his unit received three Presidential Unit Citations. Charles returned to the United States where he worked with a Bond Drive group before being stationed at Minter Field in California. Charles finished out his military service and was discharged in August of 1945.[13] With the weight of the world off his chest and the Axis powers no longer controlling much of Europe, Charles returned home to Denver.
After his separation from the military, Charles Adams returned to school. He went back to the Colorado School of Mines where he continued in his pursuit of a degree in petroleum refining engineering.[14] Charles graduated from the Colorado School of Mines in May 1948—he had finished the first two years of his program before the war and was able to get his degree two years after leaving the military. After graduation Charles began working for Chevron Corporation.[15] Charles lived in many different cities, including Rochester, New York, Springfield, Massachusetts, Omaha, Nebraska, and Denver, Colorado with his wife Dorothy, son David, and daughters Mary and Patty.[16] He and Dorothy retired in Perry Park, Colorado around the year 1983.[17] Charles Ezra Adams Junior died on January 6, 1992.[18] His love and dedication to the Air Force could be seen after his death since Charles and his family requested that all monetary donations be made to the American Airpower Heritage Museum in Midland, Texas.[19] The Adams family later donated Charles’ World War Two Pilot wings to the Colorado Honor Bell.[20]
Charles E. Adams Jr. was a brave man that served his country when the people needed him the most. He put his own life on hold in order to protect the world he lived in. Charles’ dedication did not stop after his separation from service. He remained an avid supporter of the Air Force and the United States Military. Charles followed his dreams and became an engineer, father, and husband. Charles Ezra Adams Jr. is proof that dedication to oneself is just as necessary as dedication to one’s country.
Footnotes ↓
[1] “1920 United States Federal Census.” ancestry.com, entry for Chas E. Adams, New Orleans Ward 3, Orleans County, Louisiana, pgs. 3B and 4A.
[2] “1920 United States Federal Census.”ancestry.com, entry for Chas E. Adams, New Orleans Ward 3, Orleans County, Louisiana, pgs. 3B and 4A.
[3] “1930 United States Federal Census.” ancestry.com, entry for Joseph Adams, Denver, Denver County, Colorado, pg. 1B.
[4] “1930 United States Federal Census.”ancestry.com, entry for Charles Adams, Denver, Denver County, Colorado, pg. 1B.
[5] “1930 United States Federal Census.” ancestry.com, entry for George Adams, Denver, Denver County, Colorado, pg. 1B.
[6] The Prospector. Colorado School of Mines yearbook, Golden, Colorado, 1938.
[7] “U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947.” ancestry.com, entry for Charles Ezra Adams, Colorado.
[8] “Charles Ezra Adams Jr. Obituary.” The Denver Post (Denver), January 18, 1992.
[9] “Charles Adams, Jr.’s Honor Bell Artifact.” March 16, 2016. http://www.honorbell.org/news/charles-adams-artifact-donor
[10] "Air Force History." Military.com. 2018. https://www.military.com/air-force-birthday/air-force-history.html.
[11] "Air Force History." Military.com. 2018. https://www.military.com/air-force-birthday/air-force-history.html.
[12] “Charles Adams, Jr.’s Honor Bell Artifact.” March 16, 2016. http://www.honorbell.org/news/charles-adams-artifact-donor
[13] “Charles Adams, Jr.’s Honor Bell Artifact.” March 16, 2016. http://www.honorbell.org/news/charles-adams-artifact-donor
[14] The Prospector. Colorado School of Mines yearbook, Golden, Colorado, 1946.
[15] “Charles Adams, Jr.’s Honor Bell Artifact.” March 16, 2016. http://www.honorbell.org/news/charles-adams-artifact-donor
[16] “U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995.” ancestry.com, entry for Charles W. Adams, Omaha, Nebraska.
“U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995.” ancestry.com, entry for Charles W Adams, Rochester, New York.
“U.S. City Directories, 1822-1995.” ancestry.com, entry for Charles W Adams, Springfield, Massachusetts.
“Charles Adams, Jr.’s Honor Bell Artifact.” March 16, 2016. http://www.honorbell.org/news/charles-adams-artifact-donor
“Charles E Adams Jr. Obituary.” Denver Post, January 18, 1992.
[17] “Charles Adams, Jr.’s Honor Bell Artifact.” March 16, 2016. http://www.honorbell.org/news/charles-adams-artifact-donor
[18] “U.S., Social Security Applications and Claims Index, 1936-2007.” ancestry.com, entry for Charles Ezra Adams
[19] “Charles E Adams Jr. Obituary.” Denver Post, January 18, 1992.
[20] “Charles Adams, Jr.’s Honor Bell Artifact.” March 16, 2016. http://www.honorbell.org/news/charles-adams-artifact-donor
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