CHARLES H. W. READ, JR., COL, USAF

Charles Read, Jr. '52

Date of birth: February 3, 1929

Date of death: August 24, 1968

Age: 39

Lucky Bag

From the 1952 Lucky Bag:

Charles H. W. Read, Jr.

Miami, Florida

Wandering all the way from his beloved home in Florida, Wick stopped off for a stay at V.M.I, before finally making his goal here at the Academy. Being well coordinated in athletics, academics, and bull sessions, Wick's glib tongue told many a tale on all subjects dealt with at Tech, and it could be said that he was always prejudiced in his fervent and rabid belief that Navy footballers were the greatest, come what may. Wick's modest belief that his only claim to fame was rooming with "Hauffster" was a bit wrong though, for his personality and friendliness made him well known throughout the brigade. His love for the military will lead Wick to a bright career.

Charles H. W. Read, Jr.

Miami, Florida

Wandering all the way from his beloved home in Florida, Wick stopped off for a stay at V.M.I, before finally making his goal here at the Academy. Being well coordinated in athletics, academics, and bull sessions, Wick's glib tongue told many a tale on all subjects dealt with at Tech, and it could be said that he was always prejudiced in his fervent and rabid belief that Navy footballers were the greatest, come what may. Wick's modest belief that his only claim to fame was rooming with "Hauffster" was a bit wrong though, for his personality and friendliness made him well known throughout the brigade. His love for the military will lead Wick to a bright career.

Loss

From Wall of Faces:

Major Charles Harold Wickliffe Read Jr. was the Pilot and 1st Lieutenant Melvin Earl Ladewig the Weapons System Officer onboard an F4D PHANTOM fighter aircraft on 24 August 1968 assigned to an armed reconnaissance mission over North Vietnam.
As their flight was over Quang Binh Province, located about 10 miles southwest of the city of Quang Khe, a bombing run was made and afterwards their aircraft was seen as a large fireball on the ground by the pilots of the lead aircraft.
They reported no radio contact with either pilot prior to the crash, nor did they see parachutes or hear any emergency radio beeper signals to indicate that either Read or Ladewig ejected from their aircraft prior to its downing.
However, neither officer was declared dead, so the possibility existed that they may have safely exited their aircraft.
They remain to this day as being Missing In Action.
Both officers were promoted during the period they were maintained in Missing In Action status.
The Secretary of the Air Force eventually approved Presumptive Findings of Death for the two officers with Captain Ladewig on 8 November 1973 then later Colonel Read on 25 July 1978.
Their remains have still not been repatriated.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

During the 1941-1942 school year, “Wick” Read was secretary of his 7A-5 class at Miami Beach High School.
In February 1947, Charles was a student at Woodberry Forest School in Virginia.
Charles was appointed to the Naval Academy by Senator Claude Pepper in October 1947.
In September 1953, Charles was a recent jet pilot graduate at Bryan Air Force Base in Texas.
In December 1955 at England Air Force Base in Alexandria, Louisiana, Charles was one of the hosts for the style show and dance at the Officers Club.
In December 1964, Charles was promoted to captain. He was stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Washington, in the 325th Bomb Squadron.
At his death he was listed as a pilot of the tactical fighter F-110 serving in the Command 7th Air Force, Air Unit 8th Tactical Fighter Wing, 497th Tactical Fighter Squadron.
His father, who went by Harold, was a real estate developer. His mother Hilda was active in Miami Beach school organizations, was a member of the Miami Beach Garden Club, and was a founding member of All Souls Episcopal Church.
In 1950, the Read household included Charles' brother Jackson who was in the Air Force, and sister Cynthia's husband, Edwin McMories, who was in the Navy.

Charles is listed on the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Remembrances

So many people have written such kind words about my dad here. Please know that they are so appreciated. As my son, Stuart is now in high school, studying AP US History, it was great to read these tributes. I many times visited the memorial in VA, when I lived there with my brother. Now, living across the country, our family does not get back to our cherished VA and FL hometowns. Hope to look at VA colleges when Stuart graduates from high school next year. All the best to friends and family who care and remember my Dad.
Make It A Great Day Everyone and Happy Holidays! Johanna JOHANNA READ, JOHANNA.ETALK99@GMAIL.COM, 12/23/15