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<p><em>Charles Samuel “Chuck” Mahan</em> passed away on May 27, 2023. Chuck, a devoted husband and dedicated father, is survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Jamie; their two children, Kristin (son-in-law Matt) and Kevin; his brother, Jim; and his grandchildren: Lyla, Michael and Daniela. The son of Orma Ada Padgett and Charles “Jimmy” Mahan, Chuck was raised by his mother in Sparta, GA, where he graduated with his high school class of 45 students in 1964. He excelled as an All-State football player, but his mother asked him to attend West Point if he received an appointment, even though he signed a letter of intent to play for Bobby Dodd at Georgia Tech. Later, Chuck admitted he tried his best to fail the Academy entrance exams, but, ultimately, he kept his promise to his mother and joined the Class of 1968.</p>
<p>Chuck was a free spirit at West Point, determined to be his own person and not let the institution wear him down. His misadventures with the Tactical Department earned him a “Century Man” title but endeared him to classmates. A devastating injury during the spring football game plebe year ended his playing days, but during cow year he found the West Point Rugby Team. Rugby helped him recover from football’s loss and gave him the outlet to manage West Point on his terms and proved he could overcome any obstacle. In 1967 Chuck was part of the cadet team to win the national rugby championship at Notre Dame. It was also then that he found Jamie, and both their lives changed forever. </p>
<p>Chuck was a charter member of Cadet Company F-2, “The Zoo,” spending four years there. Late in plebe year, Chuck, with his football player roommate, felt their cow squad leaders were being too strict. One evening the upperclassmen found themselves forced into laundry bags by the plebes. Chuck jokingly threatened to roll them down the stairs unless they eased up. The cows relinquished, and they all remained close friends for more than 50 years. Chuck believed the best advice he ever got as a cadet was from General Norman Schwarzkopf, who told him he should select Quartermaster Corps and stay with troops where he would have the greatest impact on the Army. </p>
<p>Chuck’s military career began inauspiciously at the Quartermaster Officer Basic Course at Fort Lee, NJ, when he was part of a group that was told they would be medically discharged. To pass the time, they played cards in the rear of the Quartermaster classrooms until just before graduation, when Chuck was told he would complete the basic course and satisfy his West Point service obligation. In typical Mahan-fashion, he completed the course and graduated with his class.</p>
<p>During his distinguished military career, Chuck earned a reputation for his love of soldiers and their families. He was a relentless trainer of logistics soldiers, whose technical competency was his hallmark. His service included Vietnam, the Cold War, Colombia, Operation Desert Shield, Operation Desert Storm, and the Global War on Terrorism. His command and staff positions included commanding general, 21st Theater Command; commander, 13th Corps Support Command; and commander, VII Corps Support Group. His military career culminated as the U.S. Army deputy chief of staff logistics at the Pentagon. </p>
<p>His fellow general officers recognized him as the most accomplished logistician of his time and a brilliant leader. He was an officer of unquestioned integrity, a larger-than-life persona, and one who chose the harder right instead of the easier wrong. Senior leaders sought out and trusted his advice on whether war plans and operations were supportable. An Army logistics visionary, he spearheaded the beginning of the Army logistics enterprise resource planning solution for the future called the Global Combat Support System, starting a 10-plus year process to move from five to a single logistics system Army wide.</p>
<p>During his career he received the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (five awards), Defense Meritorious Service Medal (two awards) and many other awards and service decorations. During Desert Storm, Chuck and his team deployed from Germany with the combat units, preferring to advance just behind the supported VII Corps. One dark night, a fuel convoy of 700 trucks set out as part of Operation Left Hook, with one GPS device, two radios and only chem lights on each vehicle. An unfortunate dust storm divided the convoy in two, and Chuck (with only his sidearm) and his sergeant major set out in a helicopter to find the lost column. Once located, the lieutenant in charge of the column was reluctant to continue the arduous night movement. His sergeant major reported that Chuck’s imposing presence convinced the young officer to resume, and they guided the convoy to the refueling site from the air. </p>
<p>He retired on August 27, 2003 after 35 years of service, one of the longest serving members of the class. Never one to take credit for excellent results, at his retirement ceremony at Fort Myer, VA, he quipped to the assembled crowd who came to see if he was “really, the Chuck Mahan from ’68 and the Zoo!” Jamie Mahan remembers her husband’s life with the words of 2 Timothy 4:7: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” We said our last Goodbye to Chuck Mahan at Arlington National Cemetery on October 31, 2024. Be Thou at Peace, Brother.</p>
<p><em>— Your Family, Friends and Classmates</em></p>
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