More detail on this person: Commander Charles E "Ed" McCaskill, USN (Ret), 78, died peacefully,
surrounded by family and friends, on August 20, 2016 near Williamsburg, Va. He was born in
Pensacola, FL on September 9, 1937 to Charles E McCaskill, Sr and Ruth Shearer. Ed graduated from
Marion Military Institute in Marion, AL. In 1956, he took the oath as a Midshipman and began his
four years at the United States Naval Academy with the Class of 1960. It was there that he
discovered his love of sailing, and met other Midshipmen who would become the closest friends of his
lifetime. Upon graduating, Ed returned to his hometown to begin flight training. Winning his wings
and completing advanced training, he was assigned to a Norfolk based anti-submarine squadron (HS-3).
He returned to Pensacola as a flight instructor, serving a year in VT-1. He went to the Flight
Instructors Indoctrination Group as an Aerodynamics and Propulsion Systems instructor. Ed then
volunteered for a Vietnam tour with HA(L)-3, the famed Seawolves. While there, he amassed more than
two hundred combat flights, most as a fire team flight leader. He was awarded the Silver Star for
"conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity", eleven Air Medals and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
After being stationed at the Amphibious School, Little Creek, and NAS Oceana, he had a fleet tour in
Rhode Island. Ed next graduated from the Armed Forces Staff College, and moved to Naval Air Force
Atlantic Fleet for a staff tour. Following graduation from the Safety Management course at the Naval
Postgraduate School in Monterey, CA, he was assigned as the Safety Department Head aboard the
USS John F. Kennedy. Ed completed his naval career by serving tours as an Air Advisor at SURFLANT,
and the US Naval Safety Center as Publications Department Head. After retirement, he worked for the
City of Norfolk, VA in the Department of Housing Services. In 2008 he moved from Norfolk to Colonial
Heritage in Williamsburg, where he made many friends, served on committees, and became very active
in the Woodworkers Club. Ed is survived by his wife of 35 years, Sarah McCaskill, sons Jim (Shelly)
and John (Karen), daughters Elaine Turner (Jonathan) and Stephanie Fridge, and a sister, Vicki
Christopher. He also has six grandchildren, Nellia, Kodie (Lexi), Caleb, Hannah, Sophia and Patrick,
and a great grandson, Weston. He was predeceased by his first wife, the former Suzanne Barronton,
and his son, Michael McCaskill. A Memorial Mass will be held at Noon on September 16, 2016 at the
former St Bede Chapel, now the W&M Catholic Campus Ministry, on Richmond Road at 10 Harrison
Avenue, Williamsburg. Interment will be at the United States Naval Academy at a later date.
Published in Virginia Gazette on Aug. 31, 2016
Silver Star Awarded for actions during the Vietnam War
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to
Lieutenant Charles Edward McCaskill, Jr. (NSN: 0-641420), United States Navy, for conspicuous
gallantry and intrepidity in aerial flight as Fire Team Leader of a flight of two UH-1B helicopter
gunships attached to Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron THREE, Detachment TWO on 19 May 1968.
Lieutenant McCaskill was called to aid the Nhon Trach District Headquarters which was under attack
by an estimated company of Viet Cong and in serious danger of being overrun. Disregarding
thunderstorm activity which required the fire team to fly into the area at low level, Lieutenant
McCaskill led the flight to the besieged area. The enemy was about to break the perimeter defenses
and overrun the compound. Despite the short distance between the enemy and the defenders,
Lieutenant McCaskill led the fire team through numerous attacks, beginning low level and terminating
by twisting and rolling to avoid the heavy ground fire. When attack runs had to be made over the
same route, Lieutenant McCaskill disregarded the savage pre-planned cross-fire of automatic weapons
and placed his deadly accurate rocket and machine gun fire on the enemy. Finally the enemy broke off
its attack and began to retreat in confusion. Quickly determining the new location of the enemy,
Lieutenant McCaskill unleashed the remainder of his ordnance on them, inflicting numerous
casualties. Now totally expended, Lieutenant McCaskill, realizing that the enemy would regroup and
attack again, remained in the are and directed a Forward Air Controller and relief fire team into
the area. Remaining low level, despite the intense fire he was unable to return, Lieutenant
McCaskill refused to be relieved and remained on the scene as Tactical Commander. He directed the
relief fire team on to the now concealed enemy, completely breaking their spirit and causing them to
flee the area, taking heavy casualties. Although now near fuel starvation, Lieutenant McCaskill did
not leave the area until it was clear that the compound was in no further danger. Lieutenant
McCaskill's devotion to duty, courage under fire and outstanding professionalism were in keeping
with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Action Date: May 19, 1968
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
Company: Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron 3
Regiment: Detachment 2
Burial information: United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD
This information was last updated 01/10/2017
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