Charles Martin Lofton

MAJOR CHARLES MARTIN LOFTON
U.S. Air Force Academy Class of 1959

Charles Martin Lofton entered the United States Air Force Academy as part of its historic pioneering class, joining Cadet Squadron 12. Graduating in 1959, he embarked on a distinguished 16-year career in military aviation, operational management, and eventually corporate leadership.

Following graduation, Charles entered primary and basic pilot training spanning 1959 to 1960 at Graham Air Base and Webb Air Force Base. Upon earning his wings, he was assigned to the 464th Tactical Airlift Wing. From 1960 to 1966, he served as a tactical transport pilot, operating out of Pope Air Force Base, North Carolina, and deploying forward to Tan Son Nhut Air Base in South Vietnam to support critical airlift and resupply operations during the height of the conflict. For his exemplary service and aerial achievements during these missions, he was awarded two Air Medals and the Air Force Commendation Medal.

In 1966, Charles pursued post-graduate studies, earning an MBA from the University of Pittsburgh. He immediately applied his advanced training back within the Air Force, serving as a Program Manager at the Tactical Air Warfare Center (TAWC) at Eglin Air Force Base from 1966 to 1968. He concluded his active-duty military career overseas, serving from 1968 to 1971 as an Operations Officer with Detachment 407, Headquarters Command, at Yokota Air Base, Japan, before separating at the rank of Captain (O-3).

Transitioning to civilian life in 1971, Charles built an extensive career in corporate financial planning and executive leadership. He began as Assistant Vice President of Corporate Planning at Pittsburgh National Bank, followed by a tenure as Vice President of Upper Market at Union Commerce Bank in Cleveland, Ohio. Moving into specialized credit and development, he took on the role of Vice President of Planning and Development for Postal Financial Co. in Sioux City, Iowa. Demonstrating his entrepreneurial acumen, he founded and served as President of the Charles Corporation in Walnut Creek, California, from 1982 to 1986, before concluding his primary corporate career as Vice President of Marketing for Household Bank in Salinas, California.

EDUCATION

Degree / Training Institution / Location Year
Bachelor of Science United States Air Force Academy 1959
Undergraduate Pilot Training Graham AB / Webb AFB 1960
Master of Business Administration (MBA) University of Pittsburgh 1966

MEDALS AND AWARDS

Ribbon / Decoration Count
Air Medal 2
Air Force Commendation Medal 1

SERVICE & CIVILIAN ASSIGNMENTS

Years Duty / Position Location / Organization
1959–1960 Student Pilot Graham Air Base / Webb Air Force Base
1960–1966 Tactical Airlift Pilot 464th Tactical Airlift Wing, Pope AFB & Tan Son Nhut AB, South Vietnam
1966–1968 Program Manager Tactical Air Warfare Center (TAWC), Eglin Air Force Base
1968–1971 Operations Officer Detachment 407, HQ Command, Yokota Air Base, Japan
1971–1976 AVP, Corporate Planning Pittsburgh National Bank, Pittsburgh, PA
1976–1979 Vice President, Upper Market Union Commerce Bank, Cleveland, OH
1979–1982 Vice President, Planning & Dev. Postal Financial Co., Sioux City, IA
1982–1986 President Charles Corp., Walnut Creek, CA
1986 Vice President, Marketing Household Bank, Salinas, CA