Welcome Home Viet Nam Veterans Day Observed March 29: Focus On Charles Withers

By Raoul Dennis

Here’s how it went as Retired Marine Corp Veteran Charles Withers was decorated with the Silver Star on August 12, 1969:

“Observing twenty-five North Vietnamese Army soldiers approaching his position, Lance Corporal Withers boldly exposed himself to the enemy rounds impacting around him as he directed the accurate fire of his Marines against the advancing enemy. Although vastly outnumbered and fully aware of the possible consequences of his actions, Lance Corporal Withers resolutely refused to withdraw and, boldly moving across the fire-swept terrain, shouted instructions and encouragement to his men as he conducted a vigorous defense of his important vantage point. His heroic and determined actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his accounting for fifteen enemy soldiers killed and the denial of important terrain to the North Vietnamese Army unit…”

The story of Charles A. Withers, a Laurel resident today, began before he ever shipped off to Viet Nam in 1968. Charles Withers who was known as “Spider” to those with whom he served in Marine Corps during the Vietnam War.

Prior to his service on the battlefield, Withers trained at Camp Lejeune and Parris Island. It was there that he was exposed to the debilitating effects of water contamination.

Today, some 60+ years later, Withers is fighting for his life again - PTSD, Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (CTCL), and hypertension. In addition, he’s fighting the early stages of a neurological disorder and end stage kidney disease – brought on by the exposure to toxic chemicals during training and Agent Orange in Viet Nam.

This is part of the reason we recognize Withers and thousands of other men and women who served in Viet Nam on March 29 and 30.

Vietnam Veterans Day commemorates the sacrifices of Vietnam veterans and their families and is part of a national effort to recognize the men and women who were denied a proper welcome upon returning home more than 40 years ago.

The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act, signed into law in 2017, designates March 29 of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

L-R: Charles Withers and wife Pastor Alethea Smith-Withers, granddaughter Layla, Son Charles, granddaughter Portia, daughter-in-law Crystal, grandson Charles Alex

Most states celebrate “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” on March 29 or 30 of each year. Though there is some debate, March 29 is generally viewed as a more appropriate date. On that day in 1973, the last combat troops were withdrawn from Vietnam and the last prisoners of war held in North Vietnam arrived on American soil. It is also the date President Nixon chose for the first Vietnam Veterans Day in 1974.

Withers was born on May 4, 1950, in Charlotte, NC. He has four sisters, three older and one younger, and he was the only boy in the family. His father was a realtor and an industrious head-of-household, and his mother, a homemaker. When his mother passed away, Withers soon enlisted in the Marines – well aware that the Viet Nam conflict raged on half a world away.

Withers displayed uncommon bravery in the battlefield. He even volunteered to do tunnel rat duty – crawling into enemy underground tunnels armed only with a flashlight and pistol seeking out Viet Cong weapons, potential prisoners and other materials. He started as a squad leader and quickly became a platoon leader.

After being discharged in December 1969. Withers earned a bachelor’s degree from Antioch College. He married the Reverend Alethea Smith-Withers and raised a son, Dr. Charles A. Withers, II, and became a leading force at his church, The Pavilion Of God Baptist Church.

However, Charles is most proud to have served and he is quick to remind you, “Once a Marine, always a Marine!”

Today, there is now an effort to upgrade Charles’ Silver Star to the Medal of Honor.

Here’s why (excerpted from the statement made as Withers was given the Silver Star):

Although vastly outnumbered and fully aware of the possible consequences of his actions, Lance Corporal Withers resolutely refused to withdraw and, boldly moving across the fire-swept terrain, shouted instructions and encouragement to his men as he conducted a vigorous defense of his important vantage point. His heroic and determined actions inspired all who observed him and were instrumental in his accounting for fifteen enemy soldiers killed and the denial of important terrain to the North Vietnamese Army unit. By his courage, aggressive leadership and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger Lance Corporal Withers contributed significantly to the accomplishment of his units mission and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.