CHARLES H. JEFFRIES, II, LT, USN
Charles Jeffries, II '67
Lucky Bag
From the 1967 Lucky Bag:
CHARLES HERNDON JEFFRIES II
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Since that eventful day in June when "Chuck" arrived at the Naval Academy from his native Virginia, he has been known to his classmates as an unselfish and willing worker, a mature thinker, and a good-humored friend to all. After winning his Plebe numerals putting the shot for both the indoor and outdoor track teams, "Chuck" turned his athletic energies to Company soccer and football and Battalion track. His extracurricular activities include an active role in NACA and OCU as well as service as Battalion honor representative. For his thoughtfulness and willingness to help others, and his sincere approach to matters, "Chuck" has made his years at Navy worthwhile and will continue to excel as he serves in the Fleet.
He was also a member of the 3rd Battalion staff (spring) and of the 16th Company staff (winter).
CHARLES HERNDON JEFFRIES II
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Since that eventful day in June when "Chuck" arrived at the Naval Academy from his native Virginia, he has been known to his classmates as an unselfish and willing worker, a mature thinker, and a good-humored friend to all. After winning his Plebe numerals putting the shot for both the indoor and outdoor track teams, "Chuck" turned his athletic energies to Company soccer and football and Battalion track. His extracurricular activities include an active role in NACA and OCU as well as service as Battalion honor representative. For his thoughtfulness and willingness to help others, and his sincere approach to matters, "Chuck" has made his years at Navy worthwhile and will continue to excel as he serves in the Fleet.
He was also a member of the 3rd Battalion staff (spring) and of the 16th Company staff (winter).
Loss
Charles was killed on April 13, 1974 at Subic Bay, Philippines when his jeep was ambushed by Philippine communist insurgents while on an inspection trip for his Seabee detachment, 133rd Battalion.
Other Information
From the January-February 1975 issue of Shipmate:
Lt. Jeffries was a native of Virginia Beach, Va. After graduation from the Naval Academy in 1967 he stayed on during Plebe Summer to work with the Plebes before reporting as Navigator in USS ROBISON (DDG12). He then acquired Bachelor and Master of Science Degrees in Civil Engineering, and transferred from the line to the CEC in 1971. Lt. Jeffries then reported to the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard Public Works Department and, in October 1973, to NMCB 133 for assignment as OinC of its detachment at Subic Bay.
He held an Engineer-in-Training license in Indiana and a Professional Engineer license in Pennsylvania. He was a member of Chi Epsilon Fraternity.
Lt. Jeffries is survived by his widow, Virginia Lee, and two children, Douglas and Amy Ixe, 116 Vance Place, Long Beach, MS 39560.
From the Class of 1967's 50th Reunion Yearbook, courtesy of William Belden '67:
Following graduation, Chuck served as an Unrestricted Line Officer in USS Robison (DDG-12) before being selected for graduate school in Civil Engineering and subsequent transfer into the Civil Engineer Corps. He received a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering from Purdue University in 1971 and served in the Public Works Department at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard from 1971-73. Following Philadelphia, he was assigned to Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 133 home ported in Gulfport, MS.
While deployed to the Philippines in April 1974 and commanding a construction detachment building a perimeter road around Subic Naval Base, he and two other Civil Engineer Corps officers were killed in a daylight ambush by insurgents later identified as HUK guerillas. Ironically, his former Commanding Officer in Philadelphia, Captain Thomas Mitchell (USNA ’53), was one of the officers also killed.
Chuck was interred at Arlington National Cemetery. In 1976, the Seabee base in the Philippines was named Camp Jeffries in Chuck’s honor. It has since been decommissioned, and the plaque commemorating Chuck resides at the Seabee Museum in Port Hueneme, CA. To those of us who knew and loved Chuck, this was a cruel and tragic blow; a wonderful and purposeful life ended too soon.
Chuck was an all-State football lineman from Waynesboro, VA, a large, incredibly strong but gentle man, an unwavering Christian and a committed husband and father. He and his wife Ginny had two children, Doug and Amy. Amy is a successful hairdresser, has a son and lives in Greensboro, NC. Doug is a President with the Bank of America, has a stepson and lives in Jacksonville Beach, FL. Ginny later married William L. Sellers, a Submariner of USNA Class of 1968. They reside in Greensboro, NC, have a daughter Becky, who is a nurse practitioner and a mother of three children.
He has a memorial in Arlington National Cemetery.
Photographs
Photo courtesy of William Belden '67
Namesake
Camp Jeffries was dedicated aboard Naval Base Subic Bay on February 24, 1976.
Related Articles
Thomas Mitchell '53 was also killed in this attack.
Edward Smith, Jr. '67 was also in 16th Company.
Memorial Hall Error
Chuck is listed incorrectly in Memorial Hall as killed in action in the Vietnam War; his suffix is also omitted.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
