Charles S. Minter Jr.

MINTER CHARLES S. MINTER, JR., VICE ADMIRAL , USN (Ret.) Vice Admiral Charles S. Minter, Jr, USN (Ret) passed away on April 18, 2008, in Annapolis, Maryland. He was 93. VADM Minter was born in Pocohontas, VA, on January 23, 1915, near the heart of the nation‘s coal mining region, the oldest son of Charles S. Minter and Nan Depuy Minter. From an early age, Charlie had dreams of flight and entered the Naval Academy as a member of the Class of 1937.While a midshipman, Charlie excelled in sports and lettered in crew. The Academy yearbook, Lucky Bag, noted, “Most afternoons, he could be found occupied with some sport, in season and out.” After marrying his beautiful Mary in 1940, Charlie entered flight training and earned his wings in 1941, just months before the United States entered World War II. Throughout the war, Charlie flew missions all over the world, and served as Air Operations Officer for the carrier Randolph, a ship that performed air strikes on Tokyo, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. After serving as a test pilot, he returned to combat as war broke out in Korea. After the war, Charlie held a number of key commands: Commanding Officer of USS Albermarle; Commanding Officer of USS Intrepid; Commander, Fleet Air Wing, Pacific; Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Logistics) and Deputy Chairman, NATO Military Committee. Two posts Charlie considered his most meaningful accomplishments were his tours as Commandant of Midshipmen and Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy. He is the only officer in modern times to have held both positions. Charlie and Mary retired in Annapolis in 1974 to be near and involved with his beloved Naval Academy. In retirement, Charlie had more time to enjoy his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and to pursue his avid love for golf and tennis but still found time to serve in a number of corporate positions and on several corporate boards. He was the founding CEO of Ginger Cove, the retirement home in which he peacefully died. Throughout retirement, he remained actively involved in the life of his alma mater. He served a term as President of the U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association and was a trustee of the Naval Academy Foundation, Athletic and Scholarship Programs for 33 years, from 1975 until his death, serving as President for eight of those years. In recent years, he also served as a member of the Memorial Hall Committee that revitalized that hallowed part of Bancroft Hall. Charlie was president of the Retired Officers Association for four years, and selflessly supported other worthy efforts. In 2002, Vice Admiral Minter‘s lifetime of service and achievements was recognized with the USNA Alumni Association‘s Distinguished Graduate Award. Vice Admiral Charles Minter was a man of compassion, tremendous personal integrity and a living example of an officer and gentleman, husband and father. His funeral, with full military honors, will be held at the US Naval Academy Chapel at 10 AM on May 6, 2008, with internment following the ceremony at the U.S Naval Academy cemetery. Survivors include his beloved wife of 67 years, Mary; his brother David Minter of Covington, Va.; his three children Charles S. Minter, III of Lewes, Del., Reverend D. Michael Minter of Ashburn, Va., and Meredith Minter Hinkle of Fairfax, Va.; ten grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the US Naval Academy Foundation - Athletic and Scholarship Programs Division - 25 Maryland Avenue - Annapolis, MD 21401. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the US Naval Academy Foundation - Athletic and Scholarship Programs Division - 25 Maryland Avenue - Annapolis, MD 21401. Online condolences may be made at www.johnmtaylorfuneralhome.com