Charles Givens Prather IV – Brigadier General, United States Army

From a contemporary press report

On September 23, 2004, Brigadier General (Retired) Charles Givens Prather IV, went to be with the Lord, after experiencing a heart attack in Tega Cay, South Carolina. His passing was swift and merciful.

General Prather was born in New Jersey, in 1932. He graduated from Christ School in Arden, North Carolina, in 1951. He then attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, graduating as a member of the class of 1956, from which the United States Army then commissioned him as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry.

General Prather attended the Army Infantry Officer Advanced Course, the Command and General Staff Officers College, the Special Warfare Counter-Insurgency School, and the Army War College.

The many positions he held during his distinguished military career ranged from Company Commander, Staff Officer during two separate tours in Vietnam when he then extended to remain and become an Infantry Battalion Commander in combat; and Brigade Commander in Bamberg, Germany; to Assistant Division Commander, Third Armored Division, Hanau, Germany.

While as the Deputy Commanding General, Military District of Washington, General Prather was responsible for all military support of the first inauguration of former President Reagan. Later, as the Deputy Director of Operations for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he was an officer responsible in the National Military Command System.

During his distinguished career, General Prather was awarded the following decorations and honors: The Distinguished Service Medal, The Silver Star, the Legion of Merit (with one Oak Lead Cluster), The Distinguished Flying Cross, The Bronze Star with V Device (Five Oak Leaf Clusters), The Meritorious Service Medal (Two Oak Leaf Clusters), The Air Medal, The Joint Services Commendation Medal, The Army Commendation Medal with V Device (Two Oak Leaf Clusters), The Vietnam Service Medal, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge, Ranger Tab, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star and Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Honor Medal First Class.

General Prather received a Masters Degree in Public Administration from Shippensburg State College, Pennsylvania, in 1973.

He held offices in, or was a member of, the American Legion, The Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Lions Club of Tega Cay, South Carolina, the West Point Society of the Carolinas, and the Association of the U.S. Army.

He is survived by his loving wife, Ann Outcalt Prather; their children, Julie, Michael, Katherine and David; seven grandchildren, and many loving family members. A Memorial Service was held in his honor on September 26, 2004 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

On 19 November 2004 at 1100 hours, military funeral services will be held at the Old Post Chapel at Ft. Myer, VA with interment to follow with honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

A reception for the family as well as all his friends will be held at the Army Navy Country Club in Arlington, Virginia, following the graveside ceremonies. Memorial contributions can be made in Charles’ name to the Muscular Dystrophy Association. He will live forever in our hearts.

PRATHER, CHARLES G IV

• BG   US ARMY
• VIETNAM
• DATE OF BIRTH: 01/22/1932
• DATE OF DEATH: 09/24/2004
• BURIED AT: SECTION 11  SITE 359-B
  ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

Michael Robert Patterson

Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.

Reviewed by: Michael Howard