Brentwood Press - Index

Brentwood Press - DiscoveryBayPress_07.18.08 - Index

8B | THEPRESS.NET MILESTONES JULY 18, 2008
Charles Wesley Tilton
Jan. 29, 1946-July 9, 2008
In the course of human affairs, a
person may be granted the honor of interacting
with someone to such a degree
that an indelible signal is registered that
defi nes all future contact with the world.
Charles Wesley Tilton was such a man.
With honor, courage, truth and fealty,
he perseveringly endeavored to wear his
charge in noble fashion.
His passion for life blazed in his
eyes from the instant of his rising to the
close of sleep’s mask – yet always alert
for danger and selfl essly casting himself
in harm’s way to protect others.
Charles Wesley (Wes) Tilton was
born to Mr. William Ferrell Tilton and
Mrs. Eileen Neely Tilton on Jan. 29,
1946. Wes died of a massive heart attack
on July 9, 2008.
Wes was proud to be a native-born
U.S. citizen. After graduation from Carthage
High School in 1964, Wes was
inducted into the United States Marine
Corps. He served with honor and valor
in Vietnam, receiving two purple hearts.
TILTON
He served in the USMC from 1965 to
1967, in harm’s way during 1966 and
’67, earning two purple hearts for disability,
a battlefi eld commendation for
OBITUARY
valor, and two battlefi eld promotions.
From Headquarters, Fleet Marine
Force, Pacifi c: “In the name of the Secretary
of the Navy, the Commanding
General, Fleet Marine Force Pacifi c,
takes pleasure in presenting the Navy
Commendation Medal to Lance Corporal
Charles Wesley Tilton for heroic
achievement while serving as a radio operator
with company M, Third Battalion,
Fourth Marines, Third Marine Division
on 5 October, 1966. In connection
with Operation Prairie, Lance Corporal
Tilton’s platoon was the assault element
in the attack on Hill 484. Exhibiting exceptional
courage, and under heavy enemy
fi re, he and another companion began
an assault up the ridge line toward
the enemy bunkers. His heroic actions
were instrumental in forcing the enemy
to withdraw down the reverse slope of
the hill and contributed to his platoon’s
successful attack. By his initiative, fearless
determination and unfaltering dedication
to duty in the face of enemy fi re,
Lance Corporal Tilton upheld the fi nest
traditions of the United States Naval
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Service. Lance Corporal Tilton is authorized
to wear the Combat “V” for the
secretary of the Navy, A.R. Kier, Major
General, USMC.”
Before his discharge in December
of 1971, Wes was chosen as honor guard
on Nov. 10, 1967 for President Lyndon
B. Johnson.
Other hard-fought battles by Wes
were against Richmond American
Homes and Reclamation District 800.
Alone, he tried to protect some $2.5 billion
in property and water for 22 million
SoCal citizens. Wes is the fl ame of righteousness
that regards government with
proper circumspect as our founding fathers
had intended.
Lately, Wes was involved in good
and noble causes for veterans as Vice
Commandant of the Marine Corps
League, Distinguished Service Award recipient
from the Marine Corps League,
Past secretary of the Board of Trustees
of Brentwood’s Veterans Memorial
Hall, member of Veterans of Foreign
see Milestones page 9B