Comrade Charles (Chuck) Wesley Tuft, age 89, of Seattle, passed away March 20, 2022. He qualified for VFW membership through service in Korea (KSM) 1953-54. Chuck was living away from home when his mother called in late summer of 1952 to tell him his draft notice had arrived in the mail. He didn’t want to be drafted so went to the U.S. Air Force recruiting station. When they asked if he had received his draft notice, he answered (truthfully) that he hadn’t seen it.
He joined the USAF in October of 1952, went through basic, Radio Operator Fundamentals School and graduated from Ground Radio Operator School in August 1953. In a strange coincidence, he was assigned to an Army unit in Korea as a liaison radio operator. The Army unit said they didn’t need him since they had their own radio operators. Chuck said the Army First Sergeant told him to make himself scarce, especially when inspectors or other higher ranks came around. Chuck was successful at that and served his year in Korea playing sports on the Army teams. After Korea he was assigned to a real USAF unit in Japan, where the personnel sergeant wanted to know why he hadn’t received the normal promotion for his time-in-grade. Upon hearing Chuck’s explanation, they promoted him, and he served out his time in Japan and Texas.
For many years, Chuck bowled on the Ballard Post-sponsored team. He was an active member of the post until Covid hit in March 2020.
At our April business meeting, the post charter will be draped with a black cloth for 30 days in his honor. Rest in peace, comrade.