Colonel Charles Grant Goodrich of Augusta, Georgia, was the tough-as-nails Senior American Officer in South Compound.

His military career began in 1929 upon graduating from West Point. During his time there, he sang in the choir, competed on the fencing team, and achieved sharpshooter status in both pistol and rifle. 

By 1941, he was appointed Group Commander for the 12th Bomb Group.

On September 14, 1942, Goodrich was shot down while piloting a B-25 in Sidi Haneish, Egypt. Bailing out through the aircraft’s top hatch, he suffered a broken back alongside other severe internal injuries. His subsequent operations by the Germans were often performed with little to no anesthetic.

Nearly six months after the crash, Goodrich finally arrived at Stalag Luft 3. He went on to serve as the leader who officially announced the camp's evacuation when the forced march to Moosburg took place on January 27, 1945. 

For his outstanding service in taking care of his men during captivity, he was awarded the Legion of Merit Medal.

After the war, Goodrich remained in the Air Force and was later appointed Deputy Chief of Staff for the Strategic Air Command. He also went on to work at the Pentagon’s Air Force Headquarters.

He lived to the age of 80 and lies in rest in his hometown of Augusta, Georgia.

Charles Goodrich is one of Henley's Heroes and he is not forgotten.