Lonnie Ortega Aviation Art

Lt. Col. Charles H. “Chuck” Older

AVG/23rd F.G. (18.50)

Charles H. “Chuck” Older’s career extends from UCLA graduation to retirement as a judge of the Superior Court for the County of Los Angeles. His career covers a distinguished military service and a successful private law practice; he presided as judge in such key cases as the trial of the People vs. Charles Manson and the 1971-74 trial of newsman William Farr, concerning the right of reporters to withhold the source of material. Older graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1935, serving as student body president in his senior year. He attended UCLA and in 1939 earned a B.A. degree in political science. He received flight training at Pensacola and was designated a naval navigator and 2nd lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps, in 1940. Resigning from the Marines in 1941 to volunteer as a fighter pilot with AVG (The Flying Tigers), he served under General Claire Chennault in Burma and China during 1941-42. In 1944, a Major in the U.S. Army Air Force, Older returned for a second combat tour under Chennault, acting as group operations officer and deputy group commander, 23rd Fighter Group, 14th Air Force. Recalled for service in Japan and Korea as a Lieutenant Colonel, he was with the 452nd Bomb Wing. He is credited with 18.50 aerial victories in WWII. His decorations in include the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Bronze Star, Air Medals, British Distinguished Flying Cross and several Chinese Air Force medals. With military combat behind him, Older returned to college and graduated from USC Law School in 1952. He then became engaged in private law practice, handling principally general civil litigation before both federal and state courts and administrative agencies. He was admitted to practice in all California courts, U.S. District Courts, U.S. Courts of Appeals, and the U.S. Supreme Court.