Editor’s note: The late Charles Waller was honored Monday night by the local detachment of the Marine Corps League. The detachment was named the Charles Walker Detachment 1040 in his memory.

Charles F. Waller was born in LaGrange, Georgia on Nov. 4, 1930, and spent his youth in LaGrange. During World War II, Charles lived around Williamsburg, Virginia, where his father Charles S. Waller was assigned as a chief commissary steward, USN at the Seabee Training Base nearby.

First Sgt. Charles F. Waller enlisted in 1948 and served 30 years in the United States Marine Corps. In 1950, at the start of the Korean War, Charles was stationed in Japan and was assigned to the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade, which were the first U.S. Marines to land at Pusan, South Korea. He then served with the 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division at Inchon, the Liberation of Seoul and was a veteran of the Chosin Reservoir. Charles then served at many bases and stations as well as the Marine detachments of U.S.S. Newport News and U.S.S. New Jersey. In Vietnam, he was with the 9th Marines, 3rd Marine Division at Dong Ha and Khe Sanh during the Tet Offensive. He was also the Marine Detachment 1st Sgt. aboard the U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt CVA42. He left active duty in 1976 at MCLB Albany, Ga. and retired from the Fleet Reserve in 1978.

Following his retirement, Charles joined his father in the family business, The Cake Box of LaGrange. He continued to operate that business following his father’s retirement until he himself retired.

Charles learned about the Marine Corps League in late 1999 and lead other veteran Marines as the chartering officer of the PFC George Eiland Detachment 1040.

Charles was one of the leaders who approached the Troup County Commissioners about building a Troup County Veterans Memorial as a part of the new Troup County Government Center area in 2003. The plan was accepted if the veterans would raise the funds for the memorial. The Troup County Veterans Memorial was dedicated on Veterans Day 2005.

The veterans community recognized the long-term service of Charles Waller when he was recognized as the Troup County Veteran of the Year for 2016. Charles was able to continue to serve the community until his death on April 1, 2017.

The members of the local Marine Corps League Detachment have honored the memory of Charles by having their detachment renamed the 1st Sgt. Charles Waller Detachment 1040, Marine Corps League.

The new charter was presented to the detachment Monday by Commandant Randy Barnes.

Respectfully submitted by,

A.J. Polk and Bernard Bledsoe