At Westport High School in Kansas City where he was graduated in 1936, young Charlie Burr was introduced to the notion of a service career during participation in the Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps program. By his final year he had attained the rank of cadet lieutenant. Also he had reached a decision to seek an Army career via West Point. Setting this goal was his first major career decision. It is entirely consistent with the philosophy that his parents, Charles and Martha, early on had urged upon their only son — make a decision, set a goal, and reach it. The path to the Academy was not easy. By 1936, Charlie had researched the several avenues of approach to West Point. He tried more than one. There were frustrations. Finally, he was awarded that coveted appointment from the Fifth District, Kansas.

As a cadet, Charlie implemented a “calculated approach” to the system. He paced himself. “Sprinting” was not his style. He relaxed by participating in the chess club; since the game is one of mathematical insight and probabilities, it helped hone his skills to cope with the Mathematics Department. Eventually, he took it all in stride — cadet routine, academic requirements, and even social life. He achieved excellent rapport with all those classmates with whom he associated. The brand new second lieutenant opted for the Signal Corps.

En route to his first assignment, Charlie attended company officer and field wire courses at Fort Monmouth. This training was timely. The 310th Signal Operations Battalion at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, was being readied for maneuvers in Tennessee and subsequent deployment to England. He was assigned to Company A and the first of a wide spectrum of duties. As his unit provided support for combat elements of Ninth Army and XVI Corps attacking through France into Germany, Charlie profited by “on-the-job” training the extent of which he never could have imagined at West Point.

By VE Day, Charlie had earned his selection to command a company in the 97th Signal Battalion. This unit was an element of the U.S. Constabulary, which had been especially tailored to meet emerging new requirements for the occupation forces. This command assignment also heralded the start of his married life in Bamberg, Germany.

Return to the U.S. in 1947 brought attendance at the Advanced Course, Signal School, then three years as Assistant Professor of Military Science and tactics at Rutgers University. By 1951, Charlie had returned to Europe as a staff officer in Headquarters, Allied Forces, Central Europe at Fontainebleau. Not only did he improve his professional skills, but also he learned how to interact with agencies of our allies. His immediate superior was a French officer who acted as his mentor. By 1954, however, assignment as a student at the Command and General Staff College came as a welcome change of pace.

Further recognition of his competence and versatility resulted in Charlie’s selection as a branch chief, Office of Career Management, Signal Corps, during the period 1956–58. For this duty he was awarded a Commendation Medal. Next he earned a master of business administration degree from Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration. Another indicator of a “fast track” career took the form of below the zone selection for promotion to lieutenant colonel. Thereafter, he enjoyed a respite from staff work as Commanding Officer, 51st Signal Battalion, I Corps, Uijongbu, Korea.

By mid-1961, he was back in the States. There was a requirement to complete a utilization tour as a consequence of his Harvard schooling. He became chief, Automatic Data Processing Department, U.S. Army Electronic Proving Ground, Fort Huachuca. This assignment resulted in the award of a second Commendation Medal and led him into a specialized field that focused his assignments for the remainder of his Army career. He served for almost five years as director, computer systems, Office of the Special Assistant to the Chief of Staff. There were two interruptions in this succession of data processing assignments: one to attend the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF), where he completed requirements for a second graduate degree; then, in 1967, he went to Vietnam as Commanding Officer, 21st Signal Group. This was a massive command of 6,500 persons engaged in providing electrical communications to U.S. governmental service agencies and military forces in the northern 70 percent of South Vietnam. He was awarded a Legion of Merit and an Air Medal. However, he was especially proud of the letter he received after a visit by the President of the U.S. in 1967. To Charlie it stated in part,

“The success of the President’s visit is testimony to your leadership and the outstanding efforts of your men.”

Upon his return from the war zone, Charlie literally was drafted to help in the establishment of the U.S. Army Computer Systems Command at Fort Belvoir. His memorabilia include a “Charter Member” certificate and a Meritorious Service Medal citation, which codifies his “vital role.” Charlie’s final active duty title was impressive — “Director, Project Control and Integration” of the command he helped create. Even more impressive was the fact that the three divisions of his directorate involved two hundred computing centers with total annual costs of $60 million and fixed plant costs in excess of $3 billion.

At this point in his life, Charlie made another important decision, to seek early retirement. His family participated and concurred in the decision. The Army recognized his service contribution with a second Legion of Merit at his retirement ceremony on 30 September 1970. The next step was easy. For many who retire early enough to pursue a second career, a position is sought first and a place to live, second. To understand why Charlie Burr did just the opposite requires an introduction to then Julia May Taylor.

In 1943, First Lieutenant Burr met a petite and vivacious descendant of one of South Carolina’s early immigrant Huguenot families. Years later he confided that this tiny, dark-haired dynamo had an impact on him which no other person could ever generate. Charlie rushed home as soon as possible after VE Day to seek her hand in marriage. They were united at Greeleyville, South Carolina, on 19 December 1945. They became a great team. To Charlie’s reticent, sometimes laid-back approach Julie added the adrenalin. She and her family introduced to the young Midwesterner a perspective on Southern charm, grace, and lifestyle hitherto unknown to him. He was captivated. All this explains why, long before his retirement, Charlie considered South Carolina to be his permanent home. He even became a Southern history buff.

The marriage was blessed with two lovely daughters, Martha and “Little Julie.” The family was close knit, with Mother Julie as the matriarch. Even after both daughters were married — one to an Army dentist; the other, to a lawyer — family ties were close. In his last few years, Charlie reveled in the frequent company of three grandsons: Alexander, Jackson, and Charles.

Barely two months after his retirement at Fort Belvoir, the family had settled into a spacious home in Columbia, and Charlie had been offered a position in state government. He became a staff member with the Division of Technology Utilization that was concerned with centralized control of data processing in state agencies. Within another three months Charlie was back on the “fast track.” He was appointed deputy commissioner of the South Carolina Department of Mental Health. In this capacity, he was charged with responsibility for coordinating all management analyses, statistical services, and data processing.

In late 1971, formidable data processing problems were developing within and between about 120 departments, institutions, and agencies of state government. Charlie was recalled to the office which just one year earlier he had joined as a newly hired staff member. He returned as director, a position he held for more than a dozen years. With broadened responsibilities and a sizable staff, he worked for the powerful State Budget and Control Board, chaired by the governor.

During his second career, Charlie became well known and respected throughout the various echelons of government, from the state’s chief executive down. On learning of Charlie’s sudden and unexpected passing, former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and Governor John C. West wrote:

“Over the years I came to have an increasing respect and fondness for Charlie. I well recall when as governor the whole question of computerization of government agencies was in turmoil, Charlie provided the solution. His calm leadership and well-reasoned approach were admired by all. Both the State and I personally appreciated his service.”

Well done, Charlie, well done. Be Thou At Peace!

— JRM