Charles T. Muller

Master Sgt. (Ret.) Charles T. Muller Master Sgt. (Ret.) Charles T. Muller, decorated veteran of World War II and the Korean conflict, died March 5, 2004 in Carlsbad, California. Sgt. Muller was born in Savannah, GA in 1921, the fifth son of William Albert and Mary O'Leary Muller. While still a student at Commercial High "Charlie" joined the United States Air Corps in 1941. He served in New Foundland, the Azores, and Italy. He flew 19 missions as radio operator over Nazi Germany, Austria, Yugoslavia and Romania until August, 1944, when his flak-riddled Flying Fortress was shot down south of Berlin. Suffering from leg and head wounds and loss of blood, he was captured by German SS troops and confined in a Nazi prison camp. Some weeks later, Charlie was able to escape and found his way to Parnica, Slovakia where the Mynovick family hid him from the Germans and later helped him to get evacuated back to the 15th Air Force in Italy. In early September 1944 the War Departm ent sent a telegram to Mr. and Mrs. Muller notifying them that their son was Missing in Action. However, the Savannah Evening Press of October 31, 1944 reported that Charlie was in a hospital in Italy. On December 2, 1944 the Savannah Evening Press ran a picture of Sgt. Muller who was on leave in Savannah visiting his parents. In September, 1946 Charlie Muller left the Air Force and returned to his first love, baseball. He attended umpire school then spent two years umpiring in the Georgia-Florida League and All-Star Games. In 1949 he was elevated to the Evangeline League and after one year was to join the Eastern League when he was recalled to active duty. In June of 1952 he volunteered for dangerous aerial intelligence missions and psychological warfare duty in North Korea. The Savannah News-Press of October 19, 1952 tells of Sgt. Muller's hit-and-run 38th mission near the Yalu River when "Yaks" opened fire on his "unarmed, unescorted plane and tore off the right wing tip and ailero n and injured the pilot." Charlie (remembering his experiences in World War II) persuaded the pilot not to order "bail out" 170 miles into Communist territory and helped chart a course back to safe territory where they crash landed on a UN field. Later, in Seoul, Lt. Gen. Barcus, 5th Air Force, pinned the Distinguished Flying Cross on Muller for "extraordinary achievement" in saving the four-man crew and their plane. He later received the Air Medal (for the 7th time) and this commendation- "Despite adverse weather conditions, inadequate navigational aids, hazardous terrain and enemy opposition, he successfully completed (25) assigned missions. Through his skill, courage and devotion to duty, he has brought great credit upon himself and the United States." After 12 years on active duty, Sgt. Muller retired, having received the Purple Heart, the Air Medal with clusters, the European Theatre of Operations with 3 battle stars, the UN Medal with 1 battle star, the Korean, the Victory and t he Good Conduct Medals. Charlie re-entered civilian life as an aviation mechanic instructor in civil service at Long Beach, California. He chose to remain in California but visited Savannah frequently. Charles T. Muller is survived by his brothers and sisters-in-law in Savannah; Mrs. William Albert Muller, Jr., Mrs. J. Frederick Muller, Joseph C. and Margaret R. Muller, Daniel W. and Louise B. Muller and Thomas McD. Muller; many nieces and nephews, and his dear friends and caregivers, Joe and Elaine Mutscheller of Carlsbad, CA. Visitation: 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, March 15 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. A Rosary Service will be at 6:00 p.m. Funeral Mass: 11:00 a.m.. on Tuesday, March 16, 2004, at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Burial: will be private at a later date. The family request no flowers please. Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors Hodgson Chapel Savannah Morning News, March 15, 2004 Please sign our Obituary Guestbook at www.savannahnow.com