Charles William Gittins

LtCol Charles W. Gittins, USMCR (Ret.), 67, of Lake Frederick, Virginia passed away peacefully on May 17, 2024, while under the compassionate care of the Hospice Unit at the Veterans' Administration Medical Facility in Martinsburg, WV. Known to his friends as "Charlie," he had been in failing health for the past few years. His beloved wife Melissa was at his bedside when he passed.

Charlie Gittins was born in Wilkes-Barre PA on October 26, 1956, to the late Charles E. and Rosemary Gittins, and raised in Mt. Laurel, NJ. He graduated from Lenape High School in 1974 and then attended the U.S. Naval Academy, graduating in the class of 1979 and taking his commission in the U.S. Marine Corps. After initial Marine infantry training at Quantico, he was assigned to flight school in Pensacola, where he earned the gold wings of a Naval Flight Officer. Thereafter he served as a Radar Intercept Officer in the Marine Corps' F-4S Phantom in tours of duty with two different Marine Corps fighter squadrons based in Beaufort, South Carolina.

His Marine career took a different turn when he applied for and was accepted to the Marine Corps' Funded Law Program. Graduating first in his class at the Catholic University of America's Law School, he became a Marine Corps Judge Advocate, in which billet he ably served his military clients. During Operations Desert Shield/Storm in 1990-91, he deployed to the theater of operations to provide counsel and investigative support regarding alleged violations of the rules of engagement. Upon his return to the United States, he was assigned to serve as the Advisor to the Secretary of Defense for POW/MIA Affairs.

Leaving active duty in 1992, he worked for two years with the noted law firm of Williams & Connolly in Washington, DC, after which he opened a solo practice of his own, concentrating on criminal defense in military justice matters. He successfully defended military clients in several high-profile cases. Officers of the Judge Advocates Corps in all services of the United States military knew of and respected him as a skilled practitioner of military law.

In 2012, and after reducing his caseload of military justice matters, Gittins took a position with local processing giant Valley Proteins, Inc., working as staff attorney for product security enforcement and other corporate matters. His failing health forced his retirement from Valley Proteins in 2023.

In his personal life, Gittins was an accomplished private pilot of single and twin-engine private aircraft. He held all relevant FAA licenses and certifications, including an instructor certification. He shared these skills with the community by serving as a pillar of the Winchester Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol. At the age of 50, he also became an avid skydiver, earned a D license and various USPA certifications, including AFF Instructor, Tandem Instructor, Safety and Training Advisor and Senior Rigger. He logged over 2500 jumps. He established, owned and operated Blue Ridge Skydiving Adventures, a weekend sky-diving business based at the New Market airport in the Shenandoah Valley.

Buoyantly self-confident, unceasingly can-do in attitude, tenaciously dedicated to his clients and unfailingly loyal to his friends, Gittins grabbed life and lived it to its fullest. His sense of humor and joie de vivre will be sorely missed by those who knew, admired, and loved him.

LtCol Gittins is survived by his wife Melissa and stepdaughter Kellen Strosnider, both of Lake Frederick, VA, and by brother William Gittins (Susan), niece Jackie and nephew Sean.

There will be a memorial service for LtCol Gittins at the United States Naval Academy Chapel at a time and date to be determined. All friends and former Naval Academy classmates are invited. A private interment in the Naval Academy's Columbarium will occur thereafter. Prior to his passing, LtCol Gittins asked that in lieu of flowers, contributions in memoriam be directed to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which he deemed to be a particularly worthy charitable cause.