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CHARLES E. STORRS, JR. was born on
9 Jan 1933 to Charles and Alice Storrs in
Batavia, NY. He lived in Bergen, NY, attending
school there until he went to the
Manlius School, an honor military school.
When he graduated from
there in 1950, Charlie
went directly from his high
school graduation to the
U.S. Military Academy one
month later. He received an
honor military school appointment,
one of only twelve
from this source in 1950, attesting
to both his academic
and military ability.
Charlie’s time at Manlius
was well spent and prepared
him for the rigors of Plebe
year, which he easily lived
through. It seemed that all the rattles and
storms plebes went through never bothered
Charlie. He always had a winning smile on
his face, except when being addressed by an
upperclassman. Then the smile disappeared,
but a twinkle was always evident in his eyes.
During all four years he was a G-2 “Rowdie,”
participated in intramurals, and worked on
the Howitzer staff as an assistant editor. The
only bump in the road Charlie encountered
was a few incidents with a collapsed lung.
Even this merely slowed him down; he soon
was back up and running at full speed again.
Charlie had spirit and pluck to do the best in
whatever he attempted.
Charlie was one of four G-2 Rowdies who
lifted the Corps spirit before an Army-Navy
football game. He, Dick “Turk” Benfer,
and two from ’53 “borrowed” a canoe from
an instructor, launched it into the Hudson
River, and stealthily paddled down to South
Dock where a Navy destroyer was anchored.
There were two paddlers, one painter, Turk,
and Charlie, who had to keep the canoe
from bumping into the ship and arousing
the watch, even though they had thought to
bring along an old Army blanket to muffle
the sound. The plan was to paint “Go Army
Beat Navy” in large orange letters on the side
of the destroyer. As the canoe drifted with the
current, Turk Benfer, who was a hive, had to
paint the words backward. He did well until
he came to “Army.” When painted it read,
“Amry.” He quickly discovered his error and
corrected the spelling! The G-2 Rowdies silently
paddled the canoe back to its resting
place and snuck back into the barracks undetected.
Such was the inimitable spirit of
Charlie. Spirit in deed! The accompanying
picture, taken by classmate Willis “Tiny” Tomsen in the early morning light, made the
front page of the New York Times and lifted
Corps and Alumni spirit everywhere.
Charlie’s first choice was Air Force, but
his collapsed lung immediately disqualified
him. Charlie went Infantry and completed
Basic, Airborne, and Ranger schools at Ft.
Benning. His first duty was with the 65th
Infantry Regiment at Camp Losey, Puerto
Rico. Shortly after arrival, Charlie convinced
Joanne Webb, whom he had met while at Ft.
Benning, to join him. She did, and they were
married. Shortly thereafter, Charlie ran afoul
of the Provost Marshal. He and Joanne were
banned from driving on Post for a month and
had to park outside the front gate and walk to
any destination on Post.
A short story attests to Charlie’s humorous
side. While working in the regimental
adjutant’s office, he assigned a classmate as
trial counsel to process a case. The classmate
determined that the case was not adequately
supported to expect a conviction. Nonetheless,
Charlie instructed him to proceed to trial.
As predicted, the case was dismissed, and
the president of the court expressed his great
displeasure to the trial counsel. When the
situation was reported to Charlie, he noted
that everyone needed a good reprimand periodically
to stay focused on the big objective!
Such was his sense of humor, which sustained
him throughout his career.
Returning to Ft. Benning, Charlie was the
adjutant for the Ranger Department from
1958 to 1959. Charlie and
Joanne had two sons, Phillip
and Charles “Sonny.”
In 1960, Charlie resigned his
commission and began work for
Southern Bell as a college trainee
in Atlanta, GA. He subsequently
was transferred to New Orleans,
where he earned his master’s
degree in economics. Charlie
was always inclined towards
academics. He taught management
for the Business School
at Georgia State University in
Atlanta, where he used his leadership
experience from the Army. Charlie took
advantage of this position, earned his Ph.D.
in economics, became a full professor of economics
at the university, and taught there until
diagnosed with lung cancer in 1980.
Charlie fought a valiant battle against his
disease but finally succumbed on 22 Nov
1981. He is survived by Philip and Charles,
who both reside in Florida.
Charlie was a wonderful and likeable man
with a great sense of humor. The slightest incident
brought forth his well-known smile.
He was liked and respected by the officers and
soldiers with whom he served, and he treated
everyone with respect and concern. Charlie’s
smile will be remembered by us all until we
meet again and we are greeted with a question
of why it took us so long to look him up!
Well done, Charlie, thou good and faithful
soldier. We miss you.
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