• Nov 24, 2024
  • 5:14 AM

NDVS Remembers Charles “Chuck” Harton


Charles Tyrrel “Chuck” Harton lived fully, saw the world as only a U.S. soldier can, and retired from 23 years of military to civilian life in 1966. Through the decades that passed, Chuck never flagged in service to fellow veterans, care for community, and love of his family. Chuck passed away August 11 at 91 years.  
 
Born May 11, 1925 in Oakland, CA., Chuck grew up in Vallejo during the Great Depression. Straight after graduation from Vallejo High School, with America entering the War, he headed for the enlistment office, joined the U.S. Marine Corps and, after training, shipped overseas to the Pacific Theater.  
 
He served on Guadalcanal, Saipan, Tinian, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. Chuck also served in the Korean War during the Inchon Landing and Battle of the Chosin Reservoir. 
 
Chuck settled in the Bay Area after retiring from military service, moved to Reno six years later and, recognizing the growth potential in the Truckee Meadows, obtained his broker’s license to open Harton & Associates Realty. It took him into retirement 40 years later. 
 
Chuck remained active and involved with veterans throughout his life. He served as national director of the Navy League of the United States and president and director of the Reno Council of Navy League of the United States. Chuck was a member of the Marine Corps League and Veterans of Foreign Wars, and most recently served on the Nevada Veterans Service Commission and was Chairman of the Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery Advisory Committee.  
 
Chuck was preceded in death by his first wife, Donna, and is survived by second wife, Donna Brown Harton, son Gregory Harton, MSgt USMC Ret, (Libby), daughters, Leslie Barlow (Brett), Tracy Wittenberg (Jay), and Michelle Hernandez (Andy). Chuck has 10 grandchildren and five great grandchildren. 
 
Chuck was given military honors and inurned at Nevada State Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley. 
 
War Stories: Veterans Remember World War II 
 
“At the end of boot camp everybody got different assignments, and I went up to Camp Mathews because I was a good shot. I would up at the rifle range as a coach for about six months. It was great duty, because you’re the boss: and it’s kind of fun to teach them to be good shooters. Of course, it also made a better shot out of me. Once in a while you’d say, ‘Now, wait a minute, kid, let me show you how to do this,’ and you better hit what you were talking about so you don’t look like a dummy. Afterwards, I could do things with a rifle in a off-hand position that I would have needed the prone position to do a month earlier. 
 
‘By now you had had time to get a little bit nervous about going into combat, wondering how you’re going to react. While you’re in boot camp, whoo-wee, you know, just let me at them! Once you’re out, you’re thinking, ‘Wow, maybe this might not be such a hot idea.” (laughter) – Chuck Harton