Charles E. (Chuck) Knaub Jr., was born in , Jamaica, Queens, New York City, New York on September 2, 1946. He graduated from Smithtown Central High School in 1964. He enlisted in the United States Air Force, on August 11th 1964 turning 19 years old in Basic Training. Chuck served for over 26 years as human resource manager/personnelist, in Michigan, Ohio, Texas, California, A Southeast Asia tour at Utapao Airfield in Thailand, and another oveseas tour in Japan.
He became interested in veterans affairs after he retrained into the Personal Affairs Career Field. He worked with a VA Service Officer in Michigan and learned about veterans affairs and counseling. He also became a Casualty Assistance Officer, working with the families of deceased military personnel as well as the families of Prisoners of War and Missing in Action personnel from the Vietnam War. He was personally selected by Hq Strategic Air Command to provide personnel expertise to another base who’s personal affairs function was in peril. He was decorated by the Commander, San Antonio Air Logistics Center for conducting a special fund rising campaign for the American Red Cross. He led a contingent of 100 USAF personnel from Wright Patterson AFB that participated in the inauguration of President George H.W. Bush. He was selected as the USAF Outstanding Personnel Manger of the Year for 1976.
Chuck retired from the USAF as a Chief Master Sergeant at Wright Patterson AFB in 1992 after over 26 years of service. His post-service employment included at NCR, Rush Logistics, and Wright State University. He served two terms on the Greene County Veterans Commission, including one year as President.
Chuck is a 48-year member of the American Legion. He has served in all officer positions, including a record seven times as Post Commander. He devoted numerous hours to the service of veterans and the local Fairborn community.
He served on The Department of Ohio POW/MIA commission including four years President. He planned and conducted Veterans Day and Memorial Day Services for the past 15 years. He coordinated with Boy Scouts and Fairborn Junior ROTC for flag placement of over 500 flags at Fairfield Cemetery. He served on the committee that brought a 9/11 Steele artifact to Fairborn. And he participated on the committee that erected the first Veterans Memorial in Fairborn.
Passionate about military honors for our veterans, he organized and participated in hundreds of funeral services for veterans. At the request of Senator Rob Portman, Chuck organized a Veterans Town Hall meeting to address issues with V.A. Medical Care.
Chuck enjoys reading and spending time with his family. A highlight is their annual family trip to The Indianapolis 500.