Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1962 Lucky Bag:

Charles Richard Lee

Like most Navy juniors, Chuck has been in most parts of the world. Of the many duty stations where he lived, Chuck enjoyed Okinawa the most. Eager to see more of the world, he followed in his father’s footsteps by entering the Naval Academy. Chuck has that rare talent of maintaining above average grades with a minimum of study. He could usually be found solving the world situation with his Time magazine. While Chuck was never interested in playing varsity sports, he was a member of the company cross country team and could always be counted on for points. Although interested in Navy Air, Chuck wishes ultimately to enter the diplomatic service, where his mild manner and winning smile will serve him well.

Loss

Charles was killed in action on July 9, 1967 when the A-4C Skyhawk he was piloting was shot down over North Vietnam while on a strike mission. He was a member of Attack Squadron (VA) 146, operating from USS Constellation (CVA 64).

Other Information

From the December 1974 issue of Shipmate:

LCdr. Charles Richard Lee, USN was shot down over North Vietnam on 9 July 1967. On 13 August 1974 his status was changed from Missing in Action to presumed Killed in Action. At the time of his crash, LCdr. Lee was flying an A-4 Skyhawk of Attack Squadron 146 operating from USS CONSTELLATION (CVA-64).

LCdr. Lee was a native of Annapolis, Md. He graduated from the Naval Academy with the class of 1962 and was assigned to flight training.

LCdr. Lee is survived by his father, Capt. Edwin S. Lee, USN (Ret.), USNA ‘34, 323 S. Ashton Ave., Millbrae, CA 94030; and by his mother, Mrs. Elizabeth T. Lancaster of Huntington Beach, Cal.

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Charles graduated from San Gariel High School in 1958. Scholarship Society. He was a runner-up for the National Merit Scholarship program.

He received his wings in December 1963, at Corpus Christi.

In 1964 Charles was on the USS Constellation as part of the VA-146 Administration team. In the 1967 yearbook, he was with Attack Squadron 146.

In February 1965, he finished his eight month tour of duty off the coast of Vietnam. He next was to join his squadron at Lemoore Naval Air Station.

He was later on the USS Ranger with VA-146 in its 1966 cruise book.

A memorial service was held for Charles in St. Andrew’s by the Sea Methodist Church on July 13. In lieu of flowers, the family requested contributions be made to the Charles R. Lee Memorial Fund at the church. The fund will be used to benefit children and young people in South Viet Nam and other parts of the Orient.

He was also survived by a married sister in Costa Mesa and a brother Ed of Claremont.

Chuck was a Lieutenant at the time of his loss; he was promoted while in a missing status. His remains were recovered on June 3, 1983 and identified on June 27, 1983.

Photographs

From the December 1974 issue of Shipmate.

From his 1958 high school yearbook

From the 1964 cruise book of USS Constellation

Remembrances

From Wall of Faces:

Thinking of you today, my dear Uncle Charlie. I love you and remember how happy I was when you would pick me up and throw me up to the ceiling. I would laugh from sheer joy. I wish we’d had more time on this earth together. THERESE LEE, 7/9/14

My beloved uncle who died when I was almost 5. I still remember you and how much I loved, still love, you. We miss you.

From a email conversation with Captain Mike McGrath, USN (Ret.) ‘62:

Of course, I looked up my roommate (on Ranger) and classmate (class of ‘62). Charles (Chuck) Lee and I were number 1 and 2 on the ship for number of combat missions. I was shot down on number 179. He was shot down 10 days later with a direct missile hit over Hanoi. He was probably on mission no. 190 or so. Anyway, you have his rank wrong. We were both LTs. We did not make LCDR until two years later in 1969. After I returned, I gave the eulogy at his funeral (after his remains were identified and returned). Captain Mike McGrath, USN (Ret.) ‘62, email, February 18, 2017

Note

Wall of Faces lists his home of record as Costa Mesa, CA; the Lucky Bag above has Pasadena, CA.

Find-a-Grave lists his birthplace as Annapolis.

Related Articles

Jack Renfro ‘62 was also in 12th Company.