Charles League Simerson was born on January 24, 1915, and died February 17, 1990. He resided at 629 Pennsylvania Avenue South Renovo, PA. He was the son of Helen R League Sapp.

He registered for the military on October 16, 1940, in South Renovo, PA. He was awarded five Bronze Service Stars for his participation in five major Campaigns in the European Theatre. He was part of the 77th Troop Carrier Squadron.

With miles long trains of gliders on double tow, Sgt Simerson’s Unit crossed the Rhine under heavy anti-aircraft opposition to land elements of the American 17th Airborne Division in Wesel, Germany.

The campaigns in which Sgt Simerson and his unit, the famous 435th Troop Carrier Group had played a key role included the Battle of Normandy for which the group was cited by the President, Commanded by Col Frank J MacNees, the 435th group hauled over twenty million pounds of combat supplies to forward strips in Europe and evacuated thousands of wounded troops. Vital supplies dropped by the C-47s of the 435th contributed to the heroic stand of the 101st Airborne Division at Bastogne, Belgium.

Overseas, Simerson’s Unit was part of Major General Paul L Williams US Troop Carrier Forces, air component of Lt. General Lewis H Bereton’s First Allied Airborne Army.

An interesting fact, Sgt Simerson was color blind and that proved advantageous. He was able to spot enemy troops from the air because of his color blindness.