CHARLES O. GLISSON, JR., LT, USN
Charles Glisson, Jr. '47
Lucky Bag
From the 1947 Lucky Bag:
Charles Olan Glisson, Jr.
Falls Church, Virginia
A Navy junior, Cog soon became famous as a chow hound, a sack lover, and the man who inaugurated the custom of the third section not mustering with the watch squad. To him, a good novel or Time magazine was irresistible. A fencer by choice, he came home many nights with his back bloody but his head unbowed. He was saved from being a Red Mike only by an occasional bitter battle which forced him to drag. Truly a grand guy and swell roommate, Cog will be remembered by his classmates as a walking Naval information bureau, movie gouge, and a real friend to everyone.
The Class of 1947 was graduated in June 1946 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Charles Olan Glisson, Jr.
Falls Church, Virginia
A Navy junior, Cog soon became famous as a chow hound, a sack lover, and the man who inaugurated the custom of the third section not mustering with the watch squad. To him, a good novel or Time magazine was irresistible. A fencer by choice, he came home many nights with his back bloody but his head unbowed. He was saved from being a Red Mike only by an occasional bitter battle which forced him to drag. Truly a grand guy and swell roommate, Cog will be remembered by his classmates as a walking Naval information bureau, movie gouge, and a real friend to everyone.
The Class of 1947 was graduated in June 1946 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Loss
From Korean War.org:
Lieutenant Glisson was the pilot of a F9F-2 Pantherjet fighter with Fighter Squadron (VF) 721 aboard the aircraft carrier USS KEARSARGE (CVA-33). On November 1, 1952, he was making a strike in support of front lines troops near Chunchon, North Korea, when his engine began to run irregularly. He headed towards the east coast of Korea and crashed about ten miles from the shore line. He was presumed dead on November 2, 1953.
VF-721 FIGHTER SQUADRON AIRCRAFT TYPE: F9F-2
AIRCRAFT NUMBER: 123586
NON-HOSTILE, DIED OTHER CAUSES. REMAINS NOT RECOVERED
DATE OF LOSS: NOVEMBER 1, 1952
SERVICE NUMBER: 485189
BORN: AUGUST 24, 1925
HOME OR PLACE OF ENLISTMENT: WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
LOCATION OR BATTLE ZONE: NORTH KOREA
TOWN OR AREA: CHUNCHON
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Charles was born in San Diego, California. In 1930, he lived in Belmont, Massachusetts, with his father, mother Ella, and sister Janet. In March 1935, his family sailed to Manila from their home in Newport, Rhode Island. They returned from Manila to San Francisco in March, 1938. Their home address was listed as the Bureau of Ordnance in Washington, D. C.
Charles graduated in the June 1942 class of Western High School in Washington, D. C. Cadet Corps, Sergeant; Chevrons Club; El Circulo Espanol. Hobbies are making model planes, tanks, and ships, and reading books. Starts to Randles Preparatory for United States Naval Academy. Charles was awarded winner in the annual Manual of Arms competition and best in his company L. In 1939, he was a private in Company G at the school.
He was nominated as an alternate to the Naval Academy by Senator Byrd (D-Va.) in November, 1942.
From Find A Grave:
Awarded: Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Combat Service Ribbon, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
He has a memory marker in Arlington National Cemetery, with the burial location of his parents. His father was a '23 graduate.
He was survived by his wife, June.
Photographs
Memorial Hall Error?
Charles is not listed on the killed in action panel in the front of Memorial Hall. While not an obvious error, inclusion on the panel for crashes like this (incidental to combat flights) has been inconsistent across WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
Related Articles
James LaHaye ’47 was also a member of the fencing team.
William Hearne '47 was also in 17th Company.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
