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Charles Baker Irwin

Charles Baker Irwin

September 14, 2026

headshot photo of Charles Baker Irwin

Rank: Staff Sergeant
Branch: Army Air Corps
UT Major/Affiliation: Agriculture - 1939-1942
Hometown: Campbell County, TN

  • Dec. 13, 1921 – Aug. 12, 1943
    • Born in Campbell County, TN
  • Agriculture – 1939-1942
    • Third-year student
  • Staff Sergeant – Army Air Corps
  • B-17 Flt Eng/Gunner. 524th Bomb Sqn, 379th Bomb Grp. After a mission to Gelsenkirchen, the aircraft was attacked near Bonn, then crashed near Metternich.
    • Tail Gunner
    • Stationed in Kimbolton, England
  • Memorialized at the American Netherlands Cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands
    • Concord Masonic Cemetery, TN

Charles Baker Irwin (Dec. 13, 1921 – Aug. 12, 1943) was born in Campbell County, Tennessee. He was in his third year at the University of Tennessee studying Agriculture when he enlisted in 1942. He served in the Army Air Corps as a Staff Sergeant and was trained as a tail gunner on B-17 bombers. He was deployed to the European Theater with the 524th Bomb Squadron in the 379th Bomb Group flying out of Kimbolton, England. After a mission to Gelsenkirchen, Germany, on August 12, 1943, Staff Sgt. Irwin’s B-17 came under attack by enemy fighters near Bonn, Germany. He was killed in action when the plane crashed near Metternich, Germany, after being damaged in the attack. He is memorialized at the American  Netherlands Cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands, and in Concord Masonic Cemetery in Knox County, Tennessee.

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Irwin obituary
Irwin report
Irwin obituary
Irwin tombstone
Irwin headstone
Irwin registration card

Tennesseans and War

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Knoxville, TN 37996 – 4008

Email: cmagra@utk.edu

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