Lt. Colonel Charles F. Hatfield

April 30, 1925 - January 8, 2017

Charles F. Hatfield, 91, of Bluffs passed away Sunday, Jan. 8, 2017, at the St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. He was born in Hannibal, Missouri, April 30, 1925, the son of Raymond and Margaret Green Hatfield. He married the former Donna Boes, July 4, 1953, in Bluffs. Surviving is his wife, Donna of Bluffs; sister, Mary L. Klainsek of White Hall; niece and great niece, Karen and Kristen Vollbracht; and several cousins. At the age of 17, Charles enlisted in the Army Air Force Aviation Cadet program and was called to active duty, July 1943, after graduation from Bluffs High School at the age of 18. He completed the Aviation Cadet Program and graduated with Aeronautical rating of Bombadier with rank of Flight Officer. Subsequent to B-24 crew training, his crew was assigned to the 22nd Bombardment Group, B-24, which served in the Pacific Area. Charles participated in the occupation of Japan. Upon returning to the U.S., Charles entered Knox College, Galesburg, IL in September, 1946 and graduated in June, 1949 with a BA Degree. At Knox College, he earned major athletic letters in football, basketball and track. After coaching and teaching high school for a year and a half, Charles was recalled to active duty during the Korean Conflict and was selected for a Regular Air Force commission. He completed the U.S. Air Force Pilot Training Program and was awarded Aeronautical Rating of Airplane Pilot. He was assigned to the 5001 Cold Weather Test Group at Ladd AFB, Fairbanks, Alaska, as Aircraft Field Maintenance Officer. Other job assignments were Chief, Quality Control Division, Office of Quality Control, Hq NAMAP, Tachikawa AB, Japan, Chief of Quality Control Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio, Aircraft Depot Maintenance Advisor to Chinese Nationalist Air Force at Pingtung, Taiwan, Chief Base and Transient Aircraft Maintenance Division, HQAFLC, Dayton, Ohio. During the Vietnam War, he was assigned as Chief, Quality Control Division, 388th Tactical Fighter Wing, Korat AB, Thailand. His last assignment was Team Chief Major Command Management Inspector, HQ Air Force Systems Command, Andrews AFB, MD, Office of The Inspector General. Also included in his career were other aircraft maintenance, technical, and professional school course assignments. Lt. Colonel Hatfield’s flying assignments included Aircraft Refueling Tankers, KC-97 and KC-135, C-54, C-118, C-119 and C-130 transport aircraft. Charles was a member of the Oxville United Methodist Church, 60 year member of Valley of Columbus, Ohio, 32nd degree Scottish Rite Mason, 62 year member of Perry Lodge #33, AF&AM, member of Post 441 American Legion, Bluffs, Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity at Knox College, lifetime member of The Military Officer Association and AARP. Lt Colonel Hatfield, a veteran of World War II, Korean and Vietnam was honorably retired from the United States Air Force, March 10, 1972. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 12, 2017, at the Daws Family Funeral Home in Bluffs with interment in the Green Cemetery in Bluffs. Visitation will be held Wednesday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. with a masonic service at 5:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the Meredosia-Bluffs Rescue Squad or the Scott County Dog Rescue.