Charlton Hardin Blanks

Charlton Hardin Blanks gave his final salute this side of Heaven at his home Friday, April 17, 2026.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM Friday, April 24, 2026 with Full Military Honors at First Baptist Church in Chester. The family will be receiving friends from 10:00 AM until 11:00 AM in the vestibule of the church. Interment will be private at Evergreen Cemetery. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Chester.

Charlton was born in Charleston, South Carolina February 2, 1938 and was a fraternal twin to his brother Carlton Edward Blanks. He is survived by his daughter, Mary Beth Grumblis (David) of Ohio, his son, William Joseph Blanks (Lindy), and his granddaughter, Ariel Melinda Blanks. He was preceded in death by his parents Mary Emma Blanks Sealy and Robert Lee Blanks, Jr., as well as his brothers Robert Lee Blanks, III , and Carlton Edward Blanks, and wife, Angie Johnson.

He graduated in 1956 from Chester Senior High School where he played football and was a member of the Future Farmers of America. After graduation he briefly attended Clemson University, belonging to the ROTC Battalion and Pershing Rifles Honorary Military Society. He

later transferred to the University of South Carolina, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1961and later a Master's Degree in 1977 from the University of Utah.

Charlton began his military career as a PFC in the U.S. Marine Corps and attended Officer Candidate School at Quantico Marine Corps Base in Virginia. After graduation, he was

assigned to Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California as an infantry officer with the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, where he went through “Lock On” jungle training. Charlton also attended Intelligence Officer School

at Fort Holabird, Maryland where his MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) became intelligence.

In 1964, Charlton's unit deployed in-country to Vietnam with a brief stop in Okinawa. In this first tour, he practiced infantry officer skills and intelligence training from the DMZ (De-Militarized Zone) along the northern part of Vietnam where he came under fire at Khe Sanh Combat Base. He made numerous trips in the jungle, setting up places to broadcast with his radio unit, often hacking his way through the brush. Charlton completed this tour as an advisor and returned stateside.

Charlton's second tour began in 1968, at the cusp of the Tet Offensive, and his third tour in 1975 included the evacuation of the villages around Saigon (formally known as Operation Frequent Wind) when the capitol fell near the end of the war. Afterward, he was assigned to the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.

specializing in the field of intelligence with high level security clearances.

Medals and honors include the following: Humanitarian Service Medal, Letter of Appreciation National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Republic of Vietnam National Gallantry Cross, Unit Citation Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and he was honored as Veteran of the Week by S.C. Department of Veteran’s Affairs.

After his military retirement in 1982, he taught science and physics at Chester Senior High School where he helped to develop many of Chester’s finest citizens.

Charlton always loved to serve his community. He was a member of First Baptist Church and was a Deacon, Assistant Treasurer, Bible & Sunday school teacher, and Senior Club member. Other memberships and leadership roles included Leroy Springs Golden Age Club, Commander VFW Post 5930, Senior Vice Commander DAV Chapter 19, Commander American Legion Post 27, Senior Vice Commandant of USMC League Detachment 1161 (aka the Devil Dogs), SC Senior Olympics, Civitan Club, Catawba Caucus of SC Silver Haired Legislature, and perhaps most notably, longtime planner and master of ceremonies for the Chester County Veteran’s Day Service and Memorial Day Observance.

The family would like to thank the loving employees of Agape Hospice Care and devoted private caregivers: Debby & Windy Winchester, Barbara Campbell, Linda Craig, Kathy Nichols, and Anna Threatt for their compassion and all-encompassing assistance.

Online condolences may be made to the family at www.barronfuneralhome.com