Charlton H. Blanks

Charlton H. Blanks was born on 3 February 1938 at Ridgeline Drive, Chester, SC.  Before the military he was a family farm worker. He had twin brother. Blanks was a part of the Future Farmers of America (FFA) at Chester High, where he graduated school 1956 and worked at Borden Creamery.  He attended Clemson Agricultural College of South Carolina before transferring to the University of South Carolina in ROTC program, graduating in 1961.  He was in the student lounge contemplating his career choices when a sharply dressed Marine recruiter walked in and challenged him.  He joined and became aMarine.

While in the military he began as a rank of Private First Class Marine at Clemson University. Blanks graduated from the University of South Carolina. Later, he attended basic training at the Quantico, Virginia Officer Candidate School. Follow training Blanks attended Camp Pendleton in California. Next he attended Intelligence Officer School at Fort Holabird, in Maryland.

He completed three tours in Vietnam in 1964, 1968, and 1975 as an Infantry and Intelligence Officer. His reference battles include the1968 Tet Offensive, Abilene finalmission.

Blanks civilian work included teaching  high school in Chester County, where his classes included 8th grade science and 12th grade physics.

His Medals/Honors include the following:

• Humanitarian Service Medal
• Letter of Appreciation
• National Defense Service Medal
• Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
• Vietnam Service Medal
• Presidential Unit Citation
• Navy Commendation Medal
• Combat Action Ribbon
• Navy Unit Commendation 
• Republic of Vietnam National Gallantry Cross Unit     Citation
• Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal
• Defense Meritorious Service Medal

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