Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1953 Lucky Bag:

CHARLES HENRY KRUSE, JR.

“Chuck” was an air-minded man from the beginning. He came USNA as radio-gunner of a PBM, but hopes to become a jet-jockey upon graduation. At USNA he was one of the guiding minds of the Aeronautical Engineering Club. Among his memories are to be found private flying, duck hunting and sharing the chow from home. This “salt” spent many hours aboard the Highland Light and sailed this vessel in the ‘51 Newport-Annapolis Ocean Race. Chuck’s modesty and perseverance plus a strong desire for a Navy career make him tops from his socks up.

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He was also a member of the Engineering Club.

Loss

Chuck was lost when his A3J Vigilante crashed while landing aboard USS Enterprise (CVAN 65) in the Mediterranean Sea on February 20, 1963.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

He married Audrey Klod on June 6, 1953.

On November 16, 1963, Charles’ widow had a pew dedicated in his honor at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd Weehawken. His youngest daughter Wendy Su was baptized during the ceremony.

Rev. Charles K. Fegley officiated at the ceremony. He had married Charles and his wife and had baptized them and all of their children.

Charles was a former scoutmaster and member of Alexander Hamilton Council, Order of De Molay. He attended Memorial High School but left to enlist in the Naval Air Corps in 1945.

At 17 he took flying lessons at Lambros Sea Plane Base in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey. After a 3-year tour of duty, he attended the Navy Preparatory School in Bainbridge.

At the Naval Academy graduation, he received the Military Order of the World Wars award presented annually to the graduate who achieves the greatest improvement in his last year.

Charles’ flight training was done at Corpus Christi and Jacksonville. He was with the VAH-7 squadron, nicknamed the Peacemaker, Sanford, Florida.

His father Charles was in real estate, his mother was Sophie, and his sister was Mrs. Philip J. Baecker.

He has a memory marker in Arlington National Cemetery. His wife did not remarry; they had four daughters and a son.

Photographs

"Chuck and Audrey, 6 June 1953" Source

From The Jersey Journal on November 16, 1963

From The Jersey Journal on February 23, 1963