Charles E Messerli

Charles Messerli, Colonel, USAF (retired), 86 of Alexandria, Virginia, died Wednesday, September 1, 2010. Beloved husband of Ruth Messerli; father of Richard Messerli, Mary (Paul) Messerli Phillips, Judy Messerli; and grandfather of Brian Messerli; Charles (Chuck) is also survived by 7 of his brothers, Paul, Loyd, Bill, Ray, Ralph, Larry and Ken; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law and nieces and nephews.

Chuck was born in Barnett, Missouri and grew up in Versailles, Missouri. He served in the United States Air Force for over 30 years. He was assigned to the 8th Air Force as a flight radio operator/side turret gunner on a B-24 Liberator Bomber in WWII. On his 13th mission he was shot down over France. He was a prisoner of war for almost a year and was on The European Long March with thousands of POWs for 3 months. After the war Chuck returned to Council Bluffs, IA for several years, then reenlisted in the Air Force Air Cadet Program and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. He served in many assignments throughout the United States, Okinawa, and as a combat pilot in Vietnam. His many medals include the Bronze Star, the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Flying Cross. After retirement, Chuck worked at Washington Reagan National Airport.

Visitation services will be held Tuesday, December 14, 2010 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m at Demaine Funeral Home, 520 S. Washington Street, Alexandria, VA 22314. Funeral Services will be held with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on December 15th, 2010. The funeral service will begin at 1 p.m. at the Old Post Chapel on Ft. Myer Army Post. Arr: Demaine Funeral Home, Alexandria, VA 703-549-0074. www.demainefuneralhomes.com. The family requests in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the charity of one’s choice.