Charles Alvin Beckwith
| Charles Alvin Beckwith | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Nickname(s) | "Chargin' Charlie" |
| Born |
January 22, 1929 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
| Died | June 13, 1994 (aged 65) Austin, Texas, U.S. |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army
|
| Years of service | 1952—1981 |
| Rank |
 Colonel
|
| Commands held | Support Company, 504th Airborne Infantry Regiment Special Forces Detachment B-52 (Project DELTA) 2nd Battalion/327th Parachute Infantry Regiment 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta |
| Battles/wars |
Korean War Malayan Emergency Vietnam War (WIA) Operation Eagle Claw |
| Awards |
 Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster Legion of Merit Bronze Star Purple Heart
|
| Other work | Security consultant |
Charles Alvin "Charlie" Beckwith (January 22, 1929 – June 13, 1994), known as Chargin' Charlie, was a career U.S. Army Special Forces officer best remembered as helping create Delta Force, the premier counter terrorism and asymmetrical warfare unit of the U.S. Army. He served in the Malayan Emergency and the Vietnam War, and attained the rank of colonel before his retirement.
Beckwith was born in Atlanta, Georgia on January 22, 1929, to parents Elza Dozier Beckwith (1894–1940) and Clara Eugenia Beckwith (née Rey; 1895–1973). He was an all-state football player for his high school team. He later enrolled in the University of Georgia, where he was a member of the Delta Chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity, and ROTC. Beckwith lettered in football for the Bulldogs, and was approached by the Green Bay Packers for the 1950-51 NFL draft, but turned it down in favor of a military career. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army in 1952.
After the Korean War (1950–1953) was over, then-2nd Lieutenant Beckwith served as a Platoon Leader with Charlie Company, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division in South Korea. In 1955, Beckwith was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division as the commander of the combat support company of the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
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