Charles R. Fleming was born on February 28th, 1929 in Pike County, Kentucky. Growing up in coal country was hard and dirty, working in mines and living in the company housing offered. Sometime in the 1940’s, the family would leave the coalfields and settle in Columbus, Ohio.

​

Fleming arrived in Korea in the summer of 1952, being assigned to Service Battery, 77th Field Artillery Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division. He assisted the push on the Wyoming Line, along with Operation Commando. Operation Comando was the final major offensive utilizing the 1st Cavalry Division in Korea. The division fought heavily entrenched Chinese forces for a week, taking heavy casualties. The First Team took the line and the three overlooking hills, beginning to fortify them for their rotation. The 45th Infantry Division replaced the Cavalry on the front line, being rotated to Japan.

​

After Korea, Fleming was reassigned to the 169th Infantry Regiment, 43rd Infantry Division. He most likely served with the 169th between 1953-1956. After this, he returned stateside to the 37th Infantry as a member of the National Guard. Fleming passed away at the age of 78 in 2007 in Columbus, Ohio.