Charles M. Kerr was born in Moiese, Montana. He served in the 749th Bomb Squadron, 457th Bomb Group, Heavy, as a Staff Sergeant and Tail Gunner of the B-17 (42-31629) known as ''Raven's Haven'' during World War II.

On April 9, 1944, during a raid over the Polish port city of Gdynia, the aircraft sustained heavy damage from German anti-aircraft defenses and was subsequently attacked by Fw 190 fighters. The assault crippled the plane, disabling one of its engines and compromising its cockpit. Despite efforts by pilot Lt. David P. Parks to maintain control, the damage forced the crew to abandon the aircraft over German territory. Out of the ten crew members aboard, seven were killed, while three survived and were taken as prisoners of war. SSgt Kerr was captured by German forces and was held at Stalag 17B, Krems an der Donau, Austria. After the war ended, he returned to service and promoted to Technical Sergeant. He was honorably discharged from military service on October 23, 1945. Currently, we have no available records detailing his life after the war, including information about his death or burial location.

Source of information: www.americanairmuseum.com, aomda.org