Captain Charles "Chuck" F Klusmann, USN, Ret.

Captain Charles (Chuck) F. Klusmann, USN, Retired, making his last flight through the clouds to reach his final destination on October 3rd, 2024. There is joy, health and happiness among his family, friends and military buddies. Imagine the smiles, laughter, stories and fellowship in heaven. Fair winds and following seas, "my good and faithful servant".

Chuck is survived by his wife, Ellen A. Klusmann; his beloved children, Diana K. Speedy, Katie Klusmann; his three grandchildren, Jesse Speedy (Jessica), Livia Klusmann and Avery Fetto; and great grandchildren, Chloe Speedy, Julia Speedy and Meredith Speedy.

Flying was the part of his Navy career he excelled in. Chuck would fly the F-8 beyond his retirement of 29 years if he could, maybe in heaven. Chuck told me many times his favorite place to fly was weaving in and out of clouds. After leaving the Navy, he spent nine years as an Engineer at Lockheed Martin, Atlanta, Georgia, and five years as an engineer at Northrup Grumman, Baltimore, Maryland. Chuck and Ellen made their retirement home in Pensacola, Florida, in 1996, the home of Naval Aviation.

Chuck's D-Day, twenty years after Normandy, was June 6, 1964. On Chuck's final reconnaissance mission aboard the Kitty Hawk, he was shot down over the Plain of Jars, Laos. He successfully ejected. As he was floating through the air dangling in his parachute, he thought the face curtain used to eject would be a great souvenir!

The landing was rough. In a field of tall grass, Chuck fell through the only tree, pulling his hip out of joint. He managed to wedge his leg in the tree pulling his leg back in place. Soon he was surrounded by the Pathet Lao, captured after signaling the rescue helicopters that were being hit. He was given a tree branch cane. With a rope around his neck he began to make the three day journey to the village of his first imprisonment. He spent many hours pacing the small mud and bamboo hut, trying to build up his strength before becoming extremely ill. After a month, he was taken to another village. Shortly after, a group of Lao soldiers were housed next to Chuck's "private" room. One of the prisoners, Bon Me, began making plans for escape through hand motions and drawing in the sand, the plan of escape took many weeks. On a rainy night, Chuck, Bon Me and one other prisoner made it out. They ran all night until they saw a small house. The other prisoner indicated he would go down to get food. Soon he came out with his hands up and was killed. It was a Path Lao Outpost. Chuck and Bon Me began a lengthy evasion for three days. They continued to walk through the mountains, up and down, until Bon Me spotted a village. He went ahead of Chuck. It was friendly with an outpost landing. Air America was called in and landed. When Chuck saw the plane he said that was the best, most thankful sound of freedom.

A full Military Service will be held at Barrancas National Cemetery in the atrium, October 22nd, 2024 at 1:30pm. Please meet at Oak Lawn Funeral Home, 619 New Warrington Rd, Pensacola at 12:45pm for an escorted Procession to the base. There will be a celebration of life to be announced after the service.