Charles L. Southward

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.

Charles L. Southward
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

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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