Charles W. Rader

US Marine Corps

SERVED: 2 years 8 months

Location: Vietnam

Memory from a Loved One: 

Lance Corporal Charles W. Rader from Chester, IL was born on March 17, 1945. He enlisted in the Marines on July 21, 1963. Charlie was a M-60 Machine Gunner in Vietnam from February 1965 to March 1966. After serving 12 months and 20 days in Vietnam with only six days left overseas, he stepped on a land mine and gave his life for his country. He was two weeks short of his 21st Birthday. Charlie was Randolph County’s first casualty in the Vietnam War.