CHARLES W. F. WARNER, 2LT, USMC
Charles Warner '66
Lucky Bag
From the 1966 Lucky Bag:
CHARLES W. F. WARNER
Santa Monica, California
Chuck arrived at USNA in a burst of glory, fresh from being voted his school's second best all-around athlete. By night Chuck could be found expounding upon the virtues of his hometown and state, Santa Monica, California, while by day he set out to improve on his athletic record by participating in many and varied company sports. Weekends found Chuck setting new records for cobblestones covered in a minimal amount of time, while making the rounds of Annapolis. Despite a minor academic setback during plebe year, Chuck rebounded, fighting weapons labs all the way, to improve greatly his academic standing during succeeding years. Judging from Chuck's disdainful attitude following youngster cruise, his physical ability and the multitude of Leatherneck magazines to be found in his room, he appears to be a prime candidate for the Marine Corps upon graduation.
CHARLES W. F. WARNER
Santa Monica, California
Chuck arrived at USNA in a burst of glory, fresh from being voted his school's second best all-around athlete. By night Chuck could be found expounding upon the virtues of his hometown and state, Santa Monica, California, while by day he set out to improve on his athletic record by participating in many and varied company sports. Weekends found Chuck setting new records for cobblestones covered in a minimal amount of time, while making the rounds of Annapolis. Despite a minor academic setback during plebe year, Chuck rebounded, fighting weapons labs all the way, to improve greatly his academic standing during succeeding years. Judging from Chuck's disdainful attitude following youngster cruise, his physical ability and the multitude of Leatherneck magazines to be found in his room, he appears to be a prime candidate for the Marine Corps upon graduation.
Obituary
From Find A Grave:
Charles was the husband of Linda V. Warner, the son of John H. Warner and Irene O. Warner of Santa Monica California. Upon graduating from Annapolis Maryland he was commissioned as a 2d Lieutenant in the US Marine Corps on June 8, 1966. In Vietnam he was assigned to and served as a platoon Commander with Company L, 3d Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st MARDIV (Rein) FMF.
With the completion of Operation CALHOUN, on July 2, the 3d Battalion began moving form the Chu Lai Military Complex to the vicinity of Da Nang to establish a Command Post on Hill 63 in the Que Son District of Quang Nam Province. On July 25, Company I and L with the Alpha Command Group conducted a joint USMC Vietnamese Regional Force cordon and sweep operation in the vicinity of Hill 63 and during an engagement with the enemy 2Lt Charles Warner was hit and killed by hostile rifle fire.
From Heroes of the United States Naval Academy on Facebook:
On August 5, 1966, 2nd Lieutenant Warner completed the United States Army Infantry School Airborne Course at Fort Benning, Georgia.
From August 24, 1966 to January 20, 1967, 2nd Lieutenant Warner was under instruction at Marine Corps Basic Course, Basic Class 2-67, Quantico Virginia.
On September 17, 1966, 2nd Lieutenant Warner married his high school sweetheart, Miss Linda R. Voorhees at the United States Naval Academy Chapel.
2nd Lieutenant Warner was assigned to Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California and was then sent to the Republic of Vietnam.
2nd Lieutenant Warner was assigned to 1st Marine Division, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, L Company.
From the time 2nd Lieutenant Warner arrived until he was killed, he was in continuous combat except for a short time to recover from a combat wound. On April 4, 1967 he earned his first Purple Heart. While on patrol in the vicinity of Quan G Ngai, 2nd Lieutenant Warner sustained a gunshot wound to his right thigh. 2nd Lieutenant Warner recovered after a short stay on a hospital ship and returned to combat.
2nd Lieutenant Warner participated in Operation UNION II during May, 1967 and was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V" for his actions on May 26, 1967. Company L was assigned the mission of securing a battalion landing zone during the initial phase of the operation. The company came under intense automatic weapons and mortar fire from a force of 300 North Vietnamese Army Regulars and sustained heavy casualties. 2nd Lieutenant exposed himself to the heavy volume of fire to deploy his men, to rescue a seriously wounded corpsman and to direct accurate suppressive fire against the enemy positions. This forced the enemy to shift their fire on his platoon, thereby enabling the arriving helicopters of his battalion to land safely. His actions contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his unit's mission.
Photographs
via Heroes of the United States Naval Academy on Facebook
via Heroes of the United States Naval Academy on Facebook
Charles with his father. Photo via Heroes of the United States Naval Academy on Facebook
Remembrances
...from my Mother, your cousin. I was 13 when I learned of your bravery the first time. When I learned that you met your end by insisting on being the first in the tunnel, before any of the young men entrusted to your care. I found your name on the memorial on my 8th grade trip to Washington DC in 1989. Knowing your story made the discovery that much more special, that much more meaningful, that much more relevant to a young girl. MEGAN ELLIOTT DICICCIO, 5/29/16
Hi Charles, remembering you from Santa Monica High School. Your classmates still think of you and thank you for your service to our Country.
Sandra Nirenberg, Class of 1962, Santa Monica High, Santa Monica, CA. SANDRANIRENBERGMARLEY, 12/25/02
Chuck,
I often remember our weekend walks through Annapolis. I think of you often and regret that you're no longer with us to share fond memories of 2nd Company, Class of 66, USNA. Thank you for your service. ANTHONY F. ZALLNICK JR., 12/20/02
Other
Charles was a friend of Jim Webb, who recounted this in "The Nightingale's Song" by Robert Timberg:
A packet of letters greeted Webb in Annapolis when he returned from first class cruise in September 1967. One was from Chuck Warner, who as an upperclassman bet his ass against Webb's on the "Louie, Louie" fight, then became a close and valued friend. Warner, a Marine, was recuperating on Guam from a chest wound, but said he would soon be returning to Vietnam. Glad you're okay, Webb scribbled back, keep your head down, write when you can.
With the Class of 1968 taking over the Academy's leadership posts, Webb was named brigade administrative officer, a four-striper position. His duties were relatively light, though they included one somber element. His in-box was the first stop for reports of Annapolis men killed in Vietnam.
Soon after classes resumed, Webb made his daily visit to the Main Office to pick up official correspondence. Walking back to his room, he saw that the mail included three death notices. He didn't know the first two KIAs. The third name turned him to stone. Charles W. F. Warner, '66. Warner had gone back in-country and taken another round to the chest. In a nearby room, Glen Campbell was singing "By the Time I Get to Phoenix." Webb used to love the song. Since that day, he has gotten sick every time he's heard it.
In a letter published to a blog The Viking Project, John Warner, his brother, said that the initial wound had been to his leg and that Charles' final action resulted in a Bronze Star. Except for recuperating from the leg wound, he was in combat from his arrival in Vietnam on March 25, 1967 until his death.
Family
He was married to Linda Voorhees in September 1966.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
