CHARLES R. LEE, LCDR, USN
Charles Lee '62
Lucky Bag
From the 1962 Lucky Bag:
Charles Richard Lee
Pasadena, California
Like most Navy juniors, Chuck has been in most parts of the world. Of the many duty stations where he lived, Chuck enjoyed Okinawa the most. Eager to see more of the world, he followed in his father's footsteps by entering the Naval Academy. Chuck has that rare talent of maintaining above average grades with a minimum of study. He could usually be found solving the world situation with his Time magazine. While Chuck was never interested in playing varsity sports, he was a member of the company cross country team and could always be counted on for points. Although interested in Navy Air, Chuck wishes ultimately to enter the diplomatic service, where his mild manner and winning smile will serve him well.
Charles Richard Lee
Pasadena, California
Like most Navy juniors, Chuck has been in most parts of the world. Of the many duty stations where he lived, Chuck enjoyed Okinawa the most. Eager to see more of the world, he followed in his father's footsteps by entering the Naval Academy. Chuck has that rare talent of maintaining above average grades with a minimum of study. He could usually be found solving the world situation with his Time magazine. While Chuck was never interested in playing varsity sports, he was a member of the company cross country team and could always be counted on for points. Although interested in Navy Air, Chuck wishes ultimately to enter the diplomatic service, where his mild manner and winning smile will serve him well.
Loss
From Find A Grave:
Lieutenant Commander Lee was a member of Attack Squadron 146, Carrier Air Wing 14 aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS CONSTELLATION (CVA-64). On July 9, 1967, he was the pilot of a Douglas Attack Aircraft Skyhawk (A-4C) over North Vietnam when his aircraft crashed. His remains were recovered on June 3, 1983 and identified on June 27, 1983.
Other Information
From the December 1974 issue of Shipmate:
LCdr. Charles Richard Lee, USN was shot down over North Vietnam on 9 July 1967. On 13 August 1974 his status was changed from Missing in Action to presumed Killed in Action. At the time of his crash, LCdr. Lee was flying an A-4 Skyhawk of Attack Squadron 146 operating from USS CONSTELLATION (CVA-64).
LCdr. Lee was a native of Annapolis, Md. He graduated from the Naval Academy with the class of 1962 and was assigned to flight training.
LCdr. Lee is survived by his father, Capt. Edwin S. Lee, USN (Ret.), USNA '34, 323 S. Ashton Ave., Millbrae, CA 94030; and by his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth T. Lancaster of Huntington Beach, Cal.
Chuck was a LT at the time of his loss; he was promoted while in a missing status.
Photographs
From the December 1974 issue of Shipmate.
Remembrances
From Wall of Faces:
Thinking of you today, my dear Uncle Charlie. I love you and remember how happy I was when you would pick me up and throw me up to the ceiling. I would laugh from sheer joy. I wish we'd had more time on this earth together. THERESE LEE, 7/9/14
My beloved uncle who died when I was almost 5. I still remember you and how much I loved, still love, you. We miss you.
From a email conversation with Captain Mike McGrath, USN (Ret.) '62:
Of course, I looked up my roommate (on Ranger) and classmate (class of '62). Charles (Chuck) Lee and I were number 1 and 2 on the ship for number of combat missions. I was shot down on number 179. He was shot down 10 days later with a direct missile hit over Hanoi. He was probably on mission no. 190 or so. Anyway, you have his rank wrong. We were both LTs. We did not make LCDR until two years later in 1969. After I returned, I gave the eulogy at his funeral (after his remains were identified and returned). Captain Mike McGrath, USN (Ret.) '62, email, February 18, 2017
Note
Wall of Faces lists his home of record as Costa Mesa, CA; the Lucky Bag above has Pasadena, CA.
Find-a-Grave lists his birthplace as Annapolis.
Related Articles
Jack Renfro '62 was also in 12th Company.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
