CHARLES JACKSON BRITT

Charles Jackson Britt died in the service of his country while serving in
2nd Brigade Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol, 4th Infantry Division

Last name: Britt
First name: Charles Jackson
Home of Record (official): Ferndale
State (official): MD
Date of Birth: January 16, 1944
Marital Status: Single

Branch: Army
Rank: E-7
Component: Infantry
MOS (Military Occupational Specialty code): 11B4H
Major Organization: 4th Infantry Division
Unit of assignment: 2nd Brigade Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol

Entered Service:
Start of Tour: April 4, 1971
Date of Casualty: March 30, 1972
Age at time of loss: 28
Casualty type: Hostile, died
Reason: Gun, small arms fire, ground
Country: South, Vietnam
Province:

Vietnam Memorial Wall: Panel 2W, Row 124

Ranger Memorial Stone: Section C, Column 2

Charley Britt was the one soldier all the other soldiers whispered about ... with total respect bordering on awe.
SFC. Britt was probably one of the most efficient soldiers I ever had the priviledge of serving with. He was not only a comrade in arms, he befriended me and eventually my immediate family. He became a part of us.. My wife and children loved and respected him.

After all these many years, I still have a vivid memory of him rising early in the morning, and all the family getting up to give, and get, what was to be the last hug of our beloved friend, Charley. His departure was a teary one, and little did we know, it would be the last time ,we would see him as we knew him..

SFC. Britt and I served at Fort Benning after returning from the first tour in Vietnam. Here we became a family. After I was discharged I stayed around fort Benning and Charley was often our overnight guest, especially on weekends.

He loved the woods and was a true woodsman. He said as a child the woods was his real home. Guess that is why he liked the infantry. Often times, the family and I would go with him to shoot his guns. Being the brave Ranger that he was, he would often catch rattlesnakes and copperheads with his bare hands. I remember once we were all out, he tried to catch a copperhead and it, almost got him. However he was not detered and got the snake. This gave the kids a scare.

Charley loved to hunt and when he came home on leave after extending his tour in Veitnam, he went hunting in Africa. At Benning he often bagged game and would come dragging it to our place, and we all feasted.

We kept in contact pretty regular during his second tour. In the last letter we got, Charley said he would be at our place in five days. Rather than seeing him, we got a call that he was killed in action.

Charlie Britt you are are dearly missed by my family, myself , and all who's path you ever graced. Rest in peace my friend and truly an American Warrior!

Charlie was not just a soldier, but a special one. His humility, confidence, and character resounded a faithful patriot and proved to be a solid friend. He left his footprints on the hearts of all he met. Gone but not forgotten, resting from his labors. We love and miss Charley Britt. Sua Sponte. Rangers Lead The Way.

Bob Smyers

Mike Lapolla Writes - Charley was a Staff Sergeant in my platoon of C Company 2/8th Infantry of the 4th Division. When I formed the LRRP unit of the 2nd Brigade, 4th Division ... Charley was one of the first volunteers. We had a unit of tough and seasoned soldiers. Charley was simply the finest soldier most of us had ever met. He was organized, fearless, skilled and had nerves of steel .. or no nerves at all. He was a man among men ... and died too young. From an admiring officer ...

Mike Lapolla

Ron Coon Writes -
SFC Charles Britt was a profesional soldier and one of the finest NCOs I had ever met. I do not know the unit SFC Britt was with when he was killed but once a LRRP always a LRRP.

Bob Crawford Writes -
Charles Britt was my team leader on about a half a dozen missions.. He was a great leader of men. He led by example. I would say he was a born leader, It is with great pride that I say " I was a member of his team." I wish that we had the opportunity to go on the Oregon elk hunt that we had talked about and planned. It was with great sadness that I learned about his death almost 30 years after it happened. Charley I think of you often and thank you for what you taught me.