Charles F Willis

Vocation

American aviator, businessman and political activist, who, along with Stanley M. Rumbough Jr., co-founded the "Citizens for Eisenhower" movement in 1951 in an attempt to secure the election of Dwight D. Eisenhower. Willis continued his work for the Eisenhower campaign in 1952 by joining the campaign staff. He is credited for coining the iconic political slogan, "I Like Ike." During World War II, Willis was a commander in the Naval Air Arm of the United States Navy. He served as a patrol pilot, a bomber pilot, and a fighter pilot. His efforts earned the Distinguished Flying Cross three times, three Air Medals, and a Purple Heart. Following the end of the war, Willis entered private industry and founded Willis Air Service in 1946. After Eisenhower's election in late 1952, Willis joined Eisenhower's staff and served as assistant to the assistant to the president from 23 January 1953 until 30 June 1955. Following Willis' departure from the White House, he served as assistant to the chairman of W. R. Grace and Company until 1957 when he became president of Alaska Airlines. Charles F. Willis died on 16 March 1993, aged 74. Link to Wikipedia biography