Chuck Byler was born in 1943 in Pennsylvania. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force on September 13, 1962, and completed basic training at Lackland AFB, Texas, in October 1962. Airman Byler next attended the Weapons Mechanic Course at Lowrey AFB, Colorado, from October 1962 to April 1963, followed by service as a Weapons Mechanic and Load Team Member with the 36th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Bitburg AB, West Germany, from April 1963 to July 1964. His next assignment was as a Load Team Member with the 336th Munitions Maintenance Squadron at Bitburg from July 1964 to November 1965, and then with the 22nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, also at Bitburg AB, from November 1965 until he left active duty on April 12, 1966. Sgt Byler was honorably discharged from the Air Force Reserve on September 12, 1968. After leaving the Air Force, Chuck graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in English from Slippery Rock State College in January 1970, and then with a Master's degree in Education at Slippery Rock in May 1971. He then taught English and served as the head coach for the varsity rifle team at Interboro High School in Prospect Park, Pennsylvania, from 1971 to 1972, followed by teaching English at Boyertown Area Senior High School in Boyertown, Pennsylvania, from 1972 to 1988. His final teaching assignment was as an English teacher at Junior High West in the Boyertown Area School District from 1988 until he retired from teaching in 1999. During this time he took a sabbatical leave from teaching in 1990, and entered Vermont College of Norwich University, where he earned his Master of Arts degree in Writing in May 1991. He wrote a novel during this time which he self published in 1993 titled "After Nam: A Police Story". In 2005 he published "Tempered Steel", the biography of Air Force Colonel James H. Kasler, the only person in history ever awarded the Air Force Cross three times.

The Airman's Creed:

I am an American Airman.
I am a Warrior.
I have answered my Nation's call.

I am an American Airman.
My mission is to Fly, Fight, and Win.
I am faithful to a Proud Heritage,
A Tradition of Honor,
And a Legacy of Valor.

I am an American Airman.
Guardian of Freedom and Justice,
My Nation's Sword and Shield,
Its Sentry and Avenger.
I defend my Country with my Life.

I am an American Airman.
Wingman, Leader, Warrior.
I will never leave an Airman behind,
I will never falter,
And I will not fail.