Charles R. Spath served in the U.S. Air Force as a Captain with the 335th Fighter Interceptor Squadron, 4th Fighter Interceptor Group during the Korean War. On February 3, 1952, while on a combat mission over Sinanju, Korea, his flight of four encountered a large group of MIG-15s. His engine was damaged and the plane caught fire. He parachuted to safety and was reported as captured and as having died as a prisoner of war. On March 31, 1954, his classification was changed to presumed dead. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Purple Heart, Air Medal, Prisoner of War Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation, United Nations Service Medal and Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
