Charles Beckwith
Colonel Charles A. Beckwith (1939 - 13 June 1994), was a career US Army soldier and Vietnam veteran, credited with the creation of Delta Force, a branch of the U.S. Army. Although he is held in high regard by various members of the military Special Operations Forces, the general public know him best due to the ill-fated Operation Eagle Claw operation in Iran, 1980. Delta Force was founded in November 1977 as an overseas counter-terrorist unit whose main mission is in hostage rescue, barricade operations and specialized reconnaissance. While its first mission ended in failure, the unit has since grown to become one of three counterterrorist units recognized worldwide (the other two being SEAL Team SIX and the British SAS). Nicknamed "Chargin' Charlie", Colonel Beckwith was the recipient of the Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. Delta Force was formed partly in response to growing terrorist actions worldwide, and on Beckwith's own experiences when cross-training with the British SAS years earlier. His remains are interred in the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas.
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