Charles James Ramsay was born June 8, 1932. Although born in New Jersey, he had not resided there since leaving Seton Hall High School prior to graduation to enlist in the US Marine Corps, fulfilling a long held childhood dream of becoming a US Marine.
Following completion of boot camp training, he was sent to Korea during the armed conflict. Subsequently, he completed the necessary credits required for a high school diploma and was selected for admission to Officer’s Candidate School where, upon completion of intense training, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant (2LT).
In the ensuing years, he served two tours in Vietnam as an officer and managed to complete college credits toward a teaching degree, which was the profession he intended to pursue after his last Vietnam assignment. However, he was placed in a missing in action status on January 21, 1968, when his aircraft was shot down over North Vietnam.
His wife, seven children, a brother and a sister survive Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Ramsay. His parents died during the period of his missing in action status.
Known to his fellow Marines, friends and family as a decisive, dedicated, determined Marine, he possessed a sense of fairness and humor that inspired all who knew him. Although deeply involved with his duties as a Marine, Ramsay enjoyed participating in football, was an excellent swimmer who received several trophies for his proficiency, and enjoyed sketching.
Among the many medals and ribbons awarded to him for his service are the Distinguished Flying Cross, nine Air Medals and two Purple Hearts.
Ramsay’s remains were repatriated on January 1, 1998, and positively identified on July 19, 2001.
Synopsis (from the POW Network) as to the circumstances behind being listed as MIA:
On January 21, 1968, while serving with the HQ/Battalion: 3rd Marine Division (“Catkillers, 220th Recon Aviation Company), U.S. Marine Captain Ramsay departed the Hue/Phu airfield on a combat support mission over the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and his aircraft was shot down. The aircraft was directing naval gunfire on an active anti-aircraft site when radio contact was lost. Just prior to radio failure, U.S. Army WO1 William A. Kimsey Jr., the pilot, reported their aircraft had been hit. A Forward Air Controller on station conducted a search for several hours without locating the crash site or making contact with the crew.
Sources: Lorraine Ramsay (wife), the POW Network and NJVVMF.
12/17/2024
