Charles Edward Kettering was born on June 7, 1920, in Warren, Warren County, Pennsylvania. He was the son of Peter Simon Kettering and Clara Johnson Kettering.

Charles had four years of high school and had a civil occupation as a architect. He was single without dependents upon enlistment. He entered military service in Erie, Pennsylvania, on February 17, 1941. Charles served in Company D, 2nd Ranger Battalion, as a Staff Sergeant during World War II. He was Killed in Action on June 6, 1944, at the age of 23, at Pointe du Hoc, during the American assault on Omaha and Utah beaches in France. SSgt Ketering is now buried in the Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-Sur-Mer, France.