Charles R. Meyer
| Monk Meyer | |
|---|---|
| Born |
May 1, 1911 West Point, New York |
| Died | August 11, 2001 (aged 90) Oakland, California |
| Buried | West Point Cemetery, New York |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army 
|
| Rank |
 Brigadier General
|
| Awards |
 Distinguished Service Cross Silver Star Purple Heart
|
Charles R. "Monk" Meyer (May 1, 1913 – August 11, 2001) was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in 1935, the first year the trophy was awarded, while playing for the United States Military Academy.
As the son of LTC Hermie Meyer and born at West Point, NY, on May 1, 1913, "Monk" was tagged by birth and tradition to serve his country with a career in the military. Monk grew up at various Army bases throughout the nation and even in the Philippines as his father received assignments during his military career. The Meyer family relocated to the Lehigh Valley area in time for Monk to play football, basketball and baseball at Allentown High School. After leaving Allentown High, Meyer prepped at Philadelphia's Chestnut Hill Academy and entered West Point in 1933 as a player who could run, pass, kick and play defense. For two seasons, 1935 and 1936, the "150-pound Mighty Mite" was the big gun of the Army attack for coach Gar Davidson.
Although small in stature at 5-9 and 150 pounds, and looking more like the team's student manager, "Monk" Meyer was indeed a West Point football star. And like many other Army graduates, he went on to display heroism on the battlefield for his country.
In 1935 against Notre Dame before a capacity crowd of 78,114 in Yankee Stadium, it was Meyer's 41-yard first-quarter TD pass and stellar performance in a 6–6 tie that brought him into the limelight. The press recognition eventually led to his All-American mention and then to his being named runner-up to the University of Chicago's Jay Berwanger in the first-ever Heisman Trophy vote that year.
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