Here is a little background on my father. I admit I don't know a lot, but what I write here is what I've learned of him... just so others can know him... so he will be remembered.

Charles Gerard Stanley was born in Jersey City, New Jersey on February 21, 1949. He went by the nickname of Jerry to his friends and family. He and his sister grew up together in Jersey City and never moved.

On June 1, 1968 he married my mother, Kathleen, in a chapel at Fort Dix, New Jersey.

July 4th, Independence Day, he left his new bride for his tour in Vietnam. That was the last day that she would see him alive. He would never get to see his son.

He arrived at Bien Hoa in South Vietnam on July 6th. By July 9th he received his assignment with the 716th and was transferred to Saigon.

Click to enlarge

On November 25, 1968, at the age of 19, Jerry died of a fatal wound suffered when his sidearm discharged while being cleared.
A Memorial Service was held on November 30th in a chapel set up in the Capitol BEQ, where he lived.
Seventeen days later I was born, Charles G. Stanley (Jerry to some, now Chuck to most).

My father was in the Army. Company A of the 716^th Military Police Battalion.
He was stationed at the U.S. Embassy in Saigon, and was receiving hostile fire pay.

This is the patch from his MP armband: