Charles Lavelle Wensley was born on May 25, 1916, in Temple, Texas. He was the son of John Edward Wensley and Cora Bell Kane Farrar. He had two spouses, Edna Ernestine Kanode Wensley, and Edna Jean Sheddan Wensley.

Charles served in the 353rd Bomber Squadron, 301st Bomber Group, Heavy, as a Second Lieutenant and Bombardier on the B-17 #42-97580 during World War II.

On May 29, 1944, his crew took off from Lucera Airfield in Italy on a mission to bomb the Aerodrome in Wollersdorf, Austria. Their bomber was heavily hit by flak (anti-aircraft fire), and the aircraft exploded en route to the bombing site. Of the ten members who parachuted out of the flak-damaged and burning aircraft, 2 were killed, 5 were rescued by partisan forces, 2 were captured and taken as prisoners, and 1 died of wounds. 2Lt Wensley was one of those who were rescued.

Charles died on July 14, 1988, at the age of 72. He is now buried in the Restland Memorial Park, Dallas, Dallas County, Texas.