Born and raised in Montana, Charles Baker was living with his parents in San Carlos, Florida in 1940. After 3 years in college, he enlisted in California in October 1941 and trained as a bomber pilot. Assigned to the 390th Bomb Group/570th Bomb Squadron, he was sent overseas in 1944 and was stationed at Framlingham, Suffolk, England. Chuck Baker flew on 35 missions, from 19 April to 2 August 1944, 14 of them on B-17 # 42-31974. Ending his tour in November 1944, he went back to the United States. Charles Baker's own entry in 2014 :"It was the most exciting, memorable, action filled moments, educational opportunities of my life. I volunteered for this game we played and I would not have missed it for all the tea in China."