U.S. Army Col., Ret. Charles Floyd Hurlbut II

U.S. Army Colonel Charles Floyd Hurlbut II (Ret.)

U.S. Army Colonel Charles Floyd Hurlbut II (Ret.), of Prince George, Va., passed away on April 21, 2025. He was 79.

Born a fourth-generation Wisconsinite in Madison, Wis., Chuck, as he was known to family and friends, was the son of the late Donovan and Dorothy Hurlbut. He and his sister, the late Judy Sheeder of Columbia, S.C., were raised on a beef farm and active in 4H. Chuck was inspired by his family to pursue military service. His grandfather served in both World War I and World War II in the Marines. His father served in the Army Air Corps in World War II as a B-25 pilot. Chuck graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 1969 with a degree in Rural Sociology and a commission in the United States Army Military Police Corps.

Second Lieutenant Hurlbut's first duty station was the 4th. U.S. Army Security Agency Field Station in Asmara, Ethiopia. He was initially the commander of the Guard Company, and later the installation's Provost Marshal. Kagnew Station would become one of the fondest memories of his life and career, and he enjoyed connecting with others who shared his experience. In 1970 he reported to Viet Nam where he would serve with the 525th Military Intelligence Group and the Combined Military Interrogation Center.

The inception of the Active Guard/Reserve program presented Captain Hurlbut with an opportunity to return to active duty in 1980, and shortly afterward he completed the Military Intelligence Officers' Advanced Course. He would go on to graduate from the Army's Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in 1985. Immediately after that he was an investigator in the Office of the Inspector General, Headquarters, First United States Army where he received a promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. He finished his career at the U.S. Army Military Police School in Fort McClellan, Alabama, where he was promoted to Colonel in 1994. He retired in 1998.

Colonel Hurlbut's awards include the Bronze Star, two Meritorious Service Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, the Viet Nam Campaign Medal and the Viet Nam Service Medal.

Chuck was a strong proponent of the citizen-soldier. He was a strong believer in the Army Reserve and National Guard components and would speak to soldiers training at the Military Police School about the Battle of Buna-Gona. This was a little-known battle in the Pacific where Midwestern National Guardsmen of the 32nd "Red Arrow" Infantry Division served valiantly. He also enjoyed interacting with young people in the Army and civilian life and hearing about their experiences and plans.

In retirement, Chuck enjoyed corresponding regularly with family, friends, and former co-workers. He appreciated the value of a card or letter delivered by mail. He also loved day trips with his late wife, Ida Hurlbut.

He is survived by his sister, Tracy Sonn (Jeff) of Whitewater, Wis.; his son, Kiflam Hurlbut (Michele) of Eaton Rapids, Mich.; a daughter; niece; nephews; and grandchildren.

A service will be held at the Hopewell Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral Home, on Saturday, May 24, 2025, at 2 p.m. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service, starting at 1 p.m.

Condolences may be conveyed to the family online at jtmorriss.com.