CAF Corsair Sponsor Group main page | Ray Kinney | Chris Avery | Stuart Milson | Tracey Smiley
 In memory of our dear friend and colleague, Charles 'Chuck' William Horner, U.S. Navy (Retired)
June 15, 1932 - May 15, 2009.

Chuck Horner, Lancaster hangar, March 2006
©Copyright. Photo: George Lodge

Chuck was a much valued member of our support team. As a member of the CAF Dallas/Fort Worth Wing, he also contributed his mechanical prowess in a generous way to the Wing's Douglas R4D-6S and other aircraft.

Chuck had a diverse military background, and was a retired USN Chief Aviation Technician, gaining experience initially on Grumman F8F Bearcats and FG-1D Corsairs.

He was then assigned to USN Transport assignment with the Military Air Transport Service (M.A.T.S., N.A.T.S., M.A.C. and A.M.C.) as Flight Mechanic/Flight Engineer on the R5D (USN designated DC-4), Super Constellations & Warning Stars (USN R7V-1/EC-121G) and C-130E Hercules.

Chuck completed his military career in Vietnam with Naval Transport Squadron 21A. Total flight time approached 13,000 hrs with approximately 9000 hrs "Connie" time. In civilian life Chuck worked as Field Service Representative and Overhaul Contract Manager Solar Turbines for 21 years before hearing about a Navy TV-1 (T-33) hangared at Lancaster Airport. It was around that time that Chuck joined the CAF, and his long association with the FG-1D began.

Chuck was the recipient of many CAF awards:

On September 30, 2005, on the eve of CAF AIRSHO™ 2005, Chuck received the Commemorative Air Force Individual Maintenance Award. The Citation read the following:

    "Col. Chuck Horner has been unrelenting in his dedication to the mission of the Commemorative Air Force and the Corsair Sponsor Group. Col. Horner is a dedicated volunteer who has worked tirelessly to keep the Group's Corsair in flying condition enabling it to perform the CAF's flying mission. Col. Horner's dedicated efforts have helped the Corsair Sponsor Group to 'Keep Em Flying'.

    For his efforts and dedication to the goals and objectives of the Commemorative Air Force and the Corsair Sponsor Group, Col. Chuck Horner is hereby awarded the Commemorative Air Force Individual Maintenance Award".

In November 2006 Chuck was appointed Chairman of the Navy M.A.T.S. VRs (Air Transron) Reunion Group.

Sadly, after battling illness Chuck passed away on May 15, 2009. We were honored to pay our respects and a fitting tribute to Chuck with a fly past by the Corsair at his funeral service.

CAF Corsair Sponsor Group main page | Ray Kinney | Chris Avery | Stuart Milson | Tracey Smiley