thedrifter
01-14-07, 09:44 AM
Charles Munn
January 14, 2007 3:39 am
Charles Munn
Retired Marine Col. Charles R. "Chuck" Munn Jr., a hero to his family and nation, passed from this life into the loving arms of God on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007. He was only 83, but had the wisdom of one much older. For those of us who depended upon him when trouble was scaling the walls of our lives, he will be treasured as much for his dry wit and wry smile as he was for his courage, strength and absolute dependability.
Born in Kissimmee, Fla., on Nov. 14, 1923, he answered his nation's call to arms in World War II, enlisting in the Navy. After attending Brown University, in 1946 he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and posted in China with the 5th Marines during the Chinese civil war. Though he and his Marines were often attacked by Communists, Nationalists, local warlords and bandits, they found time to enjoy the wonders of the ancient land, including, on occasion, conducting unauthorized Jeep races across Tiananmen Square.
During the Korean War, Col. Munn served with the 11th Marines as an artillery officer and in high-risk aerial reconnaissance and observation. Flying mostly in light, unarmed planes at low altitudes over enemy lines, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross as well as the Air Medal with seven gold stars. He also served with distinction in the Vietnam War with the 3rd Marine Division during the Tet Offensive, scene of some of the most intense fighting of the war, for which his unit was honored with numerous citations for gallantry and meritorious service.
Besides his DFC, Col. Munn was most humbled by the awarding of the Legion of Merit with "V" and Combat Action Ribbon in recognition of his heroism under enemy fire. Like many members of our "Greatest Generation," he never boasted of his successes and he spoke little of the horrors of war, instead preferring to enjoy the fruits of peace with his friends and family. Thanks to him, and others like him, we are free.
In between, and after, his combat assignments, Col. Munn was deeply involved in research and development and logistics, participating in a team environment to develop many of the modern combat systems now in use in the Navy and Marines. In 1977, after completing a stint in the office of the secretary of defense, Col. Munn retired from the Corps. Always looking for new challenges, he took his expertise to the private sector as a program manager for what became AT&T Government Solutions, supporting military research and development and supervising the transfer of naval assets to friendly foreign governments. He retired from his second full career at AT&T after 25 years in 2003.
Col. Munn was a knight in shining armor and best friend to his wife of 26 years, Jane Suydam Munn of Fredericksburg. He is also survived by Eileen Robbins Munn of Prince Edward Island, Canada; and his brothers, Aubrey and Richard of Leesburg, Fla. He was a patient and kind parent to his children, Charles III of Beaverdam, Susan Munn of Toronto, Canada, and Laura Lee Curran of San Diego, Calif; and he was a wise counselor and friend to his stepchildren, Denise Klein of Alhambra, Calif., Christopher Chevalier of Phoenix, Ariz., and Mike Chevalier of Olympia, Wash. Col. Munn took great delight in his grandchildren and step-grandchildren, who knew him as "Grand Chuck." Over the years, he was often seen on the floor on all fours, frolicking with the likes of Charles IV, Meaghan Munn, Ian Curran, Erica Huebner, Julianne Newman, Peter Klein III, Hunter Chevalier, Anna Chevalier, Steve Chevalier and Catie Chevalier.
Arrangements include a visitation with the family from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, at Covenant Funeral Home (540/898-4326). A service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 19, at the Presbyterian Church in Fredericksburg. A burial with full military honors will follow at 1 p.m. in Quantico National Cemetery, and a reception at the Munn home in Fredericksburg will follow the interment.
The memory of a great man is written on a page; the memory of a good man is written on a heart. Chuck Munn was a good man and he will be greatly missed. Online guest book at covenantfuneral service.com.
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2007/012007/01142007/250900/O*****arlesMunn0114.jpg
January 14, 2007 3:39 am
Charles Munn
Retired Marine Col. Charles R. "Chuck" Munn Jr., a hero to his family and nation, passed from this life into the loving arms of God on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2007. He was only 83, but had the wisdom of one much older. For those of us who depended upon him when trouble was scaling the walls of our lives, he will be treasured as much for his dry wit and wry smile as he was for his courage, strength and absolute dependability.
Born in Kissimmee, Fla., on Nov. 14, 1923, he answered his nation's call to arms in World War II, enlisting in the Navy. After attending Brown University, in 1946 he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps and posted in China with the 5th Marines during the Chinese civil war. Though he and his Marines were often attacked by Communists, Nationalists, local warlords and bandits, they found time to enjoy the wonders of the ancient land, including, on occasion, conducting unauthorized Jeep races across Tiananmen Square.
During the Korean War, Col. Munn served with the 11th Marines as an artillery officer and in high-risk aerial reconnaissance and observation. Flying mostly in light, unarmed planes at low altitudes over enemy lines, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross as well as the Air Medal with seven gold stars. He also served with distinction in the Vietnam War with the 3rd Marine Division during the Tet Offensive, scene of some of the most intense fighting of the war, for which his unit was honored with numerous citations for gallantry and meritorious service.
Besides his DFC, Col. Munn was most humbled by the awarding of the Legion of Merit with "V" and Combat Action Ribbon in recognition of his heroism under enemy fire. Like many members of our "Greatest Generation," he never boasted of his successes and he spoke little of the horrors of war, instead preferring to enjoy the fruits of peace with his friends and family. Thanks to him, and others like him, we are free.
In between, and after, his combat assignments, Col. Munn was deeply involved in research and development and logistics, participating in a team environment to develop many of the modern combat systems now in use in the Navy and Marines. In 1977, after completing a stint in the office of the secretary of defense, Col. Munn retired from the Corps. Always looking for new challenges, he took his expertise to the private sector as a program manager for what became AT&T Government Solutions, supporting military research and development and supervising the transfer of naval assets to friendly foreign governments. He retired from his second full career at AT&T after 25 years in 2003.
Col. Munn was a knight in shining armor and best friend to his wife of 26 years, Jane Suydam Munn of Fredericksburg. He is also survived by Eileen Robbins Munn of Prince Edward Island, Canada; and his brothers, Aubrey and Richard of Leesburg, Fla. He was a patient and kind parent to his children, Charles III of Beaverdam, Susan Munn of Toronto, Canada, and Laura Lee Curran of San Diego, Calif; and he was a wise counselor and friend to his stepchildren, Denise Klein of Alhambra, Calif., Christopher Chevalier of Phoenix, Ariz., and Mike Chevalier of Olympia, Wash. Col. Munn took great delight in his grandchildren and step-grandchildren, who knew him as "Grand Chuck." Over the years, he was often seen on the floor on all fours, frolicking with the likes of Charles IV, Meaghan Munn, Ian Curran, Erica Huebner, Julianne Newman, Peter Klein III, Hunter Chevalier, Anna Chevalier, Steve Chevalier and Catie Chevalier.
Arrangements include a visitation with the family from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 18, at Covenant Funeral Home (540/898-4326). A service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Jan. 19, at the Presbyterian Church in Fredericksburg. A burial with full military honors will follow at 1 p.m. in Quantico National Cemetery, and a reception at the Munn home in Fredericksburg will follow the interment.
The memory of a great man is written on a page; the memory of a good man is written on a heart. Chuck Munn was a good man and he will be greatly missed. Online guest book at covenantfuneral service.com.
http://fredericksburg.com/News/FLS/2007/012007/01142007/250900/O*****arlesMunn0114.jpg