About the Artist:

Born North Carolina, Chas Downs has lived most of his life in Maryland, and graduated from the University of Maryland with a BA (1968) and MA in (1975), both in History.

He served in the United States Air Force from 1969 to 1972, stationed in Texas and Okinawa. While a member of the Air Force Security Service, he accumulated 1400 hours flying electronic reconnaissance missions in RC-135M and C-130 aircraft, and was awarded the air Medal with 3 Oakleaf clusters.

Retired after a career as an archivist with the National Archives and Records Administration, he still volunteers at their College Park, MD, site. He is also a volunteer with the College Park Aviation Museum (CPAM), College Park, MD, devoting his energies to their archival collections and library.

Born North Carolina, Chas Downs has lived most of his life in Maryland, and graduated from the University of Maryland with a BA (1968) and MA in (1975), both in History.

He served in the United States Air Force from 1969 to 1972, stationed in Texas and Okinawa. While a member of the Air Force Security Service, he accumulated 1400 hours flying electronic reconnaissance missions in RC-135M and C-130 aircraft, and was awarded the air Medal with 3 Oakleaf clusters.

Retired after a career as an archivist with the National Archives and Records Administration, he still volunteers at their College Park, MD, site. He is also a volunteer with the College Park Aviation Museum (CPAM), College Park, MD, devoting his energies to their archival collections and library.

Chas lives in Glenelg, western Howard County, Maryland, with his wife Kathleen, and a pair of cats named Smoke and Flame.

Chas lives in Glenelg, western Howard County, Maryland, with his wife Kathleen, and a pair of cats named Smoke and Flame.