ARMY
1953 - 1956

Charles E. Hartwig (Chuck/Charlie) was born in Iowa City, Iowa, in 1936. He grew up in Fairview, Iowa, where he attended Fairview #4, a one-room schoolhouse. In 1953, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. He was the 5th of 7 sons of Otto and Doris Hartwig to serve in a branch of the U.S. military.

Chuck, as he was known at that stage of life, completed infantry basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. He was trained on the 105mm Howitzer at Camp Chafee, Arkansas, and the 280mm “Atomic Annie” cannon at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

In September 1954, Chuck shipped out to Hanau, Germany, where he was stationed with the 4th Infantry Division, 20th Field Artillery, A Battery. While on temporary duty at the 4th Infantry Division firing academy, he was selected for the Honor Guard. In 1955 he earned an Expert rating on the M1 Carbine. Having shot 199/200 on the qualifying exam, he was named to the Artillery Rifle Team, which shot competitively against other units’ rifle teams.

Chuck was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army in 1956 with the rank of E4. He transferred his rifle skills in the army to amateur trapshooting, a sport he excelled at for over 40 years. He earned numerous trophies and in 1971, was the State Singles Champion at the Iowa State Trapshooting Association’s annual shoot.

Charlie, as he was called after the army, and his wife Carol have been married for 67 years. They have two sons and one daughter. Charlie was a union truck driver who retired after more than 25 years of safe driving. He subsequently worked for Welter Storage Equipment in Cedar Rapids. After retirement, Carol and Charlie enjoyed 20 winters in Arizona where they made many friends through trapshooting, softball, cornhole, and other shenanigans.

Honored by: Carol, Karen, Kent, Kevin