Charles Clark “Sonny” Kegelman

Colonel Charles “Sonny” Kegelman was born in El Reno, Oklahoma, in 1915, and graduated from El Reno High School in 1932. He attended the Oklahoma Military Academy and the University of Oklahoma before enlisting in the Army Air Corps at Randolph Field, Texas. He began flight training there in July 1936 and earned his wings at Barksdale Field, Louisiana.

From May 1942 to February 1943, Kegelman commanded the 15th Bombardment Squadron, 27th Bombardment Group, in the United Kingdom. Flying the A-20 Havoc, his squadron conducted combat missions in the Mediterranean and European theaters.

On 4 July 1942 Captain Kegelman led a squadron of A-20 bombers against German targets in occupied Holland on what was the first American bombing mission of the war in Europe. During the mission, flak fire destroyed his right propeller, damaged his right wing, and ignited a fire in the right engine. As he withdrew, Kegelman spotted a flak tower gunner preparing to fire. He turned his crippled aircraft directly toward the tower and used his Browning machine guns to suppress the position, silencing the gunfire. He then successfully returned to base. For his extraordinary heroism, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.

Promoted to Colonel in February 1944, Kegelman assumed command of the 42nd Bombardment Group in November 1944. Flying B-25 Mitchell bombers, he led combat missions in the Pacific until his death in a flying accident in the Philippines on 9 March 1945. Kegelman received numerous awards and decorations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross and Purple Heart. He was inducted into the Oklahoma Aviation Hall of Fame.  Colonel Kegelman is buried in the El Reno Cemetery.