EDWARDS CHARLES A

COL Charles "Charlie" A. Edwards, COL was a VHPA member who died after his tour in Vietnam on 01/05/2026 at the age of 90.7
Lakeway, TX
Flight Class 56-15
Date of Birth 04/15/1935
Served in the U.S. Army
Served in Vietnam with DIV ART 1 INF in 65-66, 334 AHC in 68-69
Call sign in Vietnam SABER 6
This information was provided by Obit

More detail on this person: Charles A. Edwards passed away peacefully on January 5, 2026 in Lakeway, Texas. He was born in Temple, Texas on April 15, 1935. He grew up farming and ranching with his dad, graduated from Troy High School in Troy, Texas in 1951, and soon enrolled at Texas A&M College in College Station, Texas. Charles graduated from A&M in May 1955 with a Bachelor's Degree in Agricultural Education. Having pursued ROTC in college, Charles was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Regular Army and was immediately ordered to active duty upon graduation. After his basic artillery school at Ft. Bliss, Texas, Charles volunteered for flight school. Upon completion, Charles pursued an Army career commanding aviation and artillery units in many locations including combat and peacetime assignments. Charles was the Commander of the first activated cobra unit in Vietnam, the 334th. His service awards included the National Defense, Republic of Vietnam Service Campaign with seven battle Stars, the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry and the Republic of Vietnam Honor Medal. In his younger life, he was awarded the American Farmer Degree as a tribute to his performance in farming and ranching operations by his membership in the Future Farmers of America Organization (FFA). Charles was also designated a Master Army Aviator and ultimately awarded the FAA's Master Pilot Award for 60 years and 7,000 hours of accident-free flying without a violation. In his retirement years after the Army, Charles served as a commercial property manager in the Washington D.C. area for nine years before he and his late wife LaNell decided in 1990 to retire to their home state of Texas to take care of their elderly mothers. They selected Lakeway and built their home on Lakeway Drive in Lakeway. Charles and LaNell were active volunteers for many years for the City of Lakeway with LaNell being a two-term Council Member and Charles later becoming a two-term Mayor. Charles devoted nearly three decades of volunteer service to Lakeway. Charles and LaNell enjoyed a wonderful social life with many friends in Lakeway and the local area.

This information was last updated 04/19/2026

Please send additions or corrections to: HQ@vhpa.org VHPA Headquarters

Return to the Helicopter Pilot DAT name list

Return to VHPA web site

Date posted on this site: 07/15/2026