Gettleson, Charles E. – d. 1945

FRIEDMAN, GETTLESON

Posted By: Diana Wagner
Date: 7/13/2021 at 21:35:33

Body of Charles Gettleson Being Returned Here
The body of Technical Sergeant Charles E. Gettleson of Newton, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sol Gettleson, has been returned to the United States from the Pacific area aboard the United States Army Transport Sinnet, the Department of the Army announced today.
A graduate of Newton high school with the class of 1943, T/Sgt. Gettleson went into the Air Corps in June after his graduation. He graduated from the aerial gunner’s class at Harlingen Army Air Field, Tex., and received his aerial gunner’s wings in May 1944.
He served overseas with the Seventh Air Force from November 1944 until he was reported missing in action over Kyushu, Aug. 7, 1945. He was a flight engineer and top turret gunner on a B-24 Liberator. (news article included a photo)
Source: Newton Daily News; Friday, April 15, 1949

Rites Tuesday in Des Moines for Charles Gettleson
Final rites for Technical Sergeant Charles E. Gettleson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sol Gettleson of Newton, will be held at 1:30 o’clock Tuesday afternoon at Dunn’s Funeral Home in Des Moines. Rabbi Eugene Mannheimer will officiate at the services.
The Newton American Legion post will be in charge of graveside military rites at the Jewish Glendale cemetery.
Serving as pall bearers will be former Newton classmates of T/Sgt. Gettleson. They are Bill Schlotfeldt, Donald Barton, John Switzer, Fred Nelson, Dean Roberts and Dale Snook.
Immediately after graduating from Newton high in 1943, T.Sgt. Gettleson enlisted in the Air Force. He was assigned as a flight engineer and gunner to a bomber crew of the seventh Air Force in the pacific.
He was only 20 years old when he was killed in action over Kyushu in 1945. It was his 26th combat mission over the Japanese Islands.
His parents; two sisters, Mrs. S. H. Friedman of Kansas City, Mo., and Sally Gettleson of Salt Lake, Utah, and several uncles and aunts survive.
Source: Newton Daily News; Saturday, May 9, 1949