Charles L. Southward

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Charles L. Southward
Charles Southward.jpg
Southward as Chief of the Army Division, c. 1965.
Born(1912-05-16)May 16, 1912
Richmond, Virginia, US
DiedApril 28, 2000(2000-04-28) (aged 87)
Williamsburg, Virginia, US
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1930–1974
RankMajor general
UnitVirginia Army National Guard
Army National Guard
Commands held176th Regimental Combat Team
Army National Guard
District of Columbia National Guard
Battles/warsWorld War II
AwardsDistinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)
Legion of Merit
Other workVeterans’ Counselor, Business Specialist, United States Department of Commerce

Charles Lutcher Southward (May 16, 1912 – April 28, 2000) was a United States Army major general who served as director of the Army National Guard and commander of the District of Columbia National Guard.

Early life[]

Charles Lutcher Southward was born in Richmond, Virginia, on May 16, 1912.[1] He graduated from John Marshall High School,[2] joined the Virginia National Guard in 1930, and attained the rank of first sergeant before receiving his commission as a second lieutenant in 1935.[3][4]

Between 1935 and 1940 Southward advanced to captain, and he graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College in 1939.[5]

World War II[]

During World War II Southward served on the staff of Army Forces Pacific, South West Pacific Command as a member of the Logistics (G4) section. During the war he was promoted twice, leaving active duty as a lieutenant colonel.[6]

Post World War II[]

After the war Southward pursued a full-time career with the federal government, serving as a Veterans’ Counselor and Business Specialist with the United States Department of Commerce in Richmond.[7][8]

He continued his military service, and in the 1950s was commander of the 176th Regimental Combat Team with the rank of colonel.[9][10]

Southward graduated from the United States Army War College in 1954.[11][12]

National Guard Bureau[]

In 1954 Southward was assigned to full-time duty at the National Guard Bureau, serving as head of the Policy and Liaison Office. In the early 1960s he served on the staff of the Continental Army Command.[13][14]

From 1964 to 1967 Southward was Chief of the Army Division, (now Director of the Army National Guard), receiving promotion to brigadier general.[15]

Southward was appointed Commander of the District of Columbia National Guard in 1967 and promoted to major general. He served until retiring in 1974.[16][17][18]

Awards and decorations[]

Southward's awards included: Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster; Legion of Merit; Army Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster; American Defense Service Medal; American Campaign Medal; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with service star; World War II Victory Medal; Army of Occupation Medal (Japan), National Defense Service Medal with service star, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with gold hourglass; Philippine Defense Medal; Philippine Liberation Medal; Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation; Virginia National Guard Legion of Merit; Alabama Commendation Medal; and Mississippi Magnolia Medal.[19]

Death and burial[]

Southward died in Williamsburg, Virginia, on April 28, 2000.[20] He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 65, Site 3264.[21]

Legacy[]

The District of Columbia National Guard presents the annual Southward Leadership Award. The Southward Trophy is awarded to the outstanding Army and Air National Guard leaders in the organization.[22]

References[]

  1. ^ U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, entry for Charles L. Southward, accessed May 21, 2013
  2. ^ John Marshall High School, Yearbook, 1928
  3. ^ Virginia Division of Military Affairs, Annual Report, 1936, page 19
  4. ^ Richmond Public Schools, Annual Report, 1929, page 47
  5. ^ Army and Navy Journal, Inc., Army and Navy Journal, Volume 78, Issues 1-26, 1939, page 411
  6. ^ National Guard Association of the United States, The National Guardsman, Volume 21, 1967, page 45
  7. ^ United States. Department of Commerce, Domestic Commerce magazine, Volume 34, 1946, page 29
  8. ^ National Production Authority, Historical Reports on Defense Production, Issues 61-63, 1953, page 33
  9. ^ Virginia State Chamber of Commerce, The Commonwealth magazine, Volume 22, 1955, page 42
  10. ^ State of Virginia, Annual Reports of Officers, Boards and Institutions of the Commonwealth of Virginia, Volume 1, 1953, page 67
  11. ^ William M. Donnelly, Under Army Orders: the Army National Guard During the Korean War, 2001, page 204
  12. ^ U.S. Army War College Foundation, Foundation and Alumni News, Fall, 2012, page 28
  13. ^ National Guard Association of the United States, The National Guardsman, Volumes 28-29, 1974, page 10
  14. ^ Associated Press, Petersburg Progress, Col. Southward Goes to Natl. Guard Bureau, June 4, 1954
  15. ^ National Guard Association of the United States, Official Proceedings, Volumes 87-92, 1965, page 197
  16. ^ District of Columbia National Guard, Home page, DC National Guard Youth Leaders’ Camp Archived 2016-03-05 at the Wayback Machine, 2008
  17. ^ District of Columbia National Guard, Annual report, 1980, page 81
  18. ^ U.S. Senate, Journal of the Executive Proceedings of the Senate, Volume 110, 1968, page 75
  19. ^ Tiffany Hill, Hampton Roads Daily Press, Obituary, Charles L. Southward, April 30, 2000
  20. ^ Social Security Death Index, entry for Charles L. Southward, accessed May 21, 2013
  21. ^ Arlington National Cemetery
  22. ^ District of Columbia National Guard, DC Guardian magazine, Winter, 2011, page 8
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