Add Content

Charles Jackson entered the U.S. Air Force Academy in June 1965, and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant the U.S. Air Force on June 4, 1969. Lieutenant Jackson next attended Undergraduate Pilot Training at Moody AFB, Georgia, from August 1969 to September 1970, and then switched to Undergraduate Navigator Training, earning his navigator wings at Mather AFB, California, in July 1971. He then attended Weapon Systems Officer (WSO) training and F-4 Phantom II Combat Crew Training, before serving as an F-4 WSO with the 433rd Tactical Fighter Squadron at Ubon Royal Thai AFB, Thailand, from May 1972 until he was forced to eject over North Vietnam and was taken as a Prisoner of War on June 24, 1972.

Captain Jackson was released during “Operation Homecoming” on February 12, 1973. He entered Undergraduate Pilot Training at Williams AFB, Arizona, in November 1973, earning his pilot wings in November 1974. After serving in West Germany, the Bahamas, Spain, and Portugal, Captain Jackson left active duty at Chanute AFB, Illinois, on September 6, 1979.
- Air Medal (3)
- Prisoner of War Medal