Charles Seaborn Abel

 

Charles Seaborn Abel was born on March 4, 1938 in Ashland, Oregon.  His parents were Charles Virgil and Charlotte May Mitchell Abel.  When Charles was young, his family moved to Modesto, California where he lived most of his life.  He had two brothers, Mike and Greg Abel and one sister, Robin Abel. He attended Modesto High School until his enlistment in the US Army in 1955.

Charles was stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky when he met Mary Ann Thomas.  Mary was born on March 14, 1937 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky and was the daughter of Vernon Jagoe and Ruby Lee Byrd Thomas.   Mary Ann had three older sisters, Ruth Mae Thomas, Naomi Lee Thomas and Dorothy Nell Thomas.

After their marriage, Charles and Mary Ann settled in Hopkinsville, Kentucky and became the parents of three children.  Gina Renea Abel was born on January 14, 1961 at Fort Campbell and died the following day on January 15. Their second child, Tonya Jill Able was born on December 22, 1961.  Their third child, Charles Scott Abel was born on December 18, 1964 in Hopkinsville, Kentucky.

In 1963, Charles attended and graduated from the US Army Officers Candidate School at Fort Benning, Georgia.  He received his commission as a second lieutenant in the army infantry.  

Charles had been stationed at Ft. Campbell for about six years serving as a career officer with the 101st Airborne Division. On June 15, 1966 he began a tour of duty in the Republic of Vietnam.  At that time he had been promoted to Captain and was a co-pilot on an UH-1B “Huey” helicopter.  He flew with the 68th Aviation Company, which was called “The Top Tigers”. On September 13, 1966 he and his unit were called upon to supply a platoon and a heavy fire team to support a classified operation.  Charles’ helicopter was one of two gunships escorting five military helicopters without armaments that were being used to transport troops and cargo.  They encountered bad weather and were unable to locate their landing zone.  While attempting to return to their base their aircraft became separated from the others because of heavy rain.  His helicopter was last seen through a low ceiling and ground fog, slowing and settling into the jungle canopy.

The military was unable to locate the missing helicopter and all aboard were considered missing in action.  His wife, Mary Ann, was notified that her husband was missing in action a few days after the incident.

Nine months later, in June 1967 the military discovered the wrecked helicopter and Charles’ body was recovered. Mary Ann was officially notified that her husband, Captain Charles Able had died of wounds suffered in battle.  She had not received any information about his condition since the initial missing in action notice in September 1966.

Charles’ body was and returned to US soil on 10 Jun 1967 and his body was returned to Hopkinsville for burial.  He was laid to rest in the Green Hill Memorial Gardens in Hopkinsville. He was 28 years old at the time of his death.

 Charles Abel's Grave Marker

LINEAGE:  (Charles Seaborn Abel was the husband of Mary Ann Thomas.  Mary was the daughter of Vernon Jagoe and Ruby Lee Byrd Thomas, granddaughter of Robert Henry and Jennie Lee Ezell Thomas and great-granddaughter of Rufus King and Alvie Adeline Dunn Thomas.  Rufus was the fifth child of Perry and Elizabeth Bridges Thomas. Perry was the third child of James and Mary Standley Thomas. Mary was the seventh child of Drury and Charity Cohoon Bridges.)