NEAL CHARLES J

CW2 Charles "Charlie" J Neal was a potential VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 05/13/1971 at the age of 22.4 from Auto accident
Ft. Rucker, AL
Flight Classes 69-37 and 69-35
Date of Birth 12/30/1948
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with A/3/17 CAV in 70-71, HHT/3/17 CAV in 70-71
This information was provided by Phil Hart, W. Wayne Arrants, Bill Hamrick

More detail on this person: A Troop 3/17 and HHT 3/17 Air Cav. His tour was from Feb 1970 to Feb 1971. Charlie was a Cobra pilot with A Troop and after being appointed IP in the Cobra; he was transfered to HHT as the Squadron IP and later SIP.

I ran into Charlie at FT Rucker while he was signing in after his return from RVN. I was just finishing my training as an Instrument IP, and Charlie informed me that this what he would be doing also after he returned from 30 days leave.

Charlie was returning to FT Rucker that night after his leave from his home in Georgia, and was killed by a drunk driver in a head on collission. (the drunk lived)

The accident occured in late March of 1971 I believe ?

From: Bill Hamrick, CPT B TROOP 3/17 Air Cav, Stogie 37

I know most of the details about Charlie as he was a very close friend of mine.

Charlie was killed while going home to get his fiancee to bring back to Ft. Rucker to meet my wife and I. He had only recently become engaged to this lady and had not had the opportunity to introduce her to any of his friends in the Army. The rest of the accident information was never brought to my attention other than the fact about the drunk driver.

Charlie was actually going into the OH-58 transition training course (to be an instructor there), which is where I was.

I have tried for over thirty years to find some information concerning Charlie. My oldest son is named after Charlie. I have tried in vain to find his mother (I Think charlie's father was deceased). Charlie also had a sister. I have not been able to recall the town he was from. I would love to be able to inform his family (mother if she is still alive), and sister, and if possible, his ex-fiancee of my son carrying Charlie's name on. If there is anyone with any information on Charlie's family and how I might be able to contact them. Even the Town he was from in Georgia would be a huge asset.

W. Wayne Arrants, VietNam 1970, HHQ 2/7th 1st Cavalry Div.

I knew Charlie and his soon to be bride. Charlie was from Rome, GA. I did not know his sister and I am sure his mom is deceased. He lived on Neal's Lane in Rome.

According to the obit he also had 2 older brothers, at that time, both serving in the armed forces. Today I had lunch with a close friend of Charlie's who advised that his and Jane's wedding was 2 weeks away when he died. He was killed in a small town/county about 25 miles South of here, Rome, where he was from and where his fiancée lived. My friend also corrected me on the street Charlie lived with his mom, as Maplewood Drive. I'm sure his mom is dead, though I looked for her obit on-line and searched the database of the cemetery where he was buried, but found no record or her being interred there.

From: Phil Hart

This information was last updated 05/18/2016

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Date posted on this site: 10/23/2024


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