Charles F. Willis

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Charles Fountain Willis, Jr. (July 23, 1918 – March 16, 1993) was an American aviator, businessman, and political campaigner. He was born in Beaumont, Texas, and earned a BA from the University of Florida in 1939. In World War II, he was a commander in the Navy’s Naval Air Arm, serving as a patrol, bomber, and fighter pilot. He earned the Distinguished Flying Cross three times, three Air Medals, and a Purple Heart. After the war, he started Willis Air Service in 1946. In 1951 he co-founded the Citizens for Eisenhower movement to back Dwight D. Eisenhower and worked on his 1952 campaign, earning credit for coining the slogan “I Like Ike.” After Eisenhower won, Willis served on the White House staff as assistant to the assistant to the president from January 23, 1953, to June 30, 1955. He then worked for the chairman of W. R. Grace and Company until 1957, when he became president of Alaska Airlines. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.