Charles Liteky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Liteky
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| Birth name | Charles James Liteky |
| Other name(s) | Angelo Liteky |
| Born | February 14, 1931 Washington, D.C. |
| Died | January 20, 2017 (aged 85) San Francisco, California |
| Place of burial |
Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, California
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| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1966–1971 |
| Rank |  Major (Chaplain) |
| Unit | 12th Infantry Regiment, 199th Infantry Brigade |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor (Renounced in 1986) |
Charles James "Charlie" Liteky (born February 14, 1931 – died January 20, 2017) was an American peace activist. He was also known as Angelo Liteky.
He served as a United States Army chaplain during the Vietnam War. He received the Medal of Honor, which is the highest military award in the U.S. Liteky was a Roman Catholic priest. He earned the award for bravely saving 20 wounded soldiers during a battle in 1967. Later, he left the priesthood and became a social activist. In 1986, he gave back his Medal of Honor.
Charles Liteky's Military Service
Charles Liteky was born in Washington, D.C. on February 14, 1931. He joined the Army from Fort Hamilton, New York. In Vietnam, he was a captain and chaplain for the 199th Infantry Brigade.
On December 6, 1967, his unit was near Phuoc-Lac in South Vietnam. They were on a mission when many enemy soldiers attacked them. Liteky saw two wounded men about 15 meters from an enemy machine gun.
He used his own body to shield them. When the shooting slowed down, he dragged them to a safe spot where helicopters could land. Even though he was hurt in his neck and foot, he kept going back into the gunfire. He rescued more wounded soldiers and comforted those who were dying.
When the landing zone came under attack, he stood out in the open. He guided the rescue helicopters as they landed and took off. After all the wounded were safe, he went back to encourage the other soldiers. He stayed with them until his company was relieved the next morning. Liteky saved a total of 20 soldiers during this battle. Because of his brave actions, he received the Medal of Honor.
Liteky's Work for Peace
Liteky left the priesthood in 1975. In 1983, he married Judy Balch, who was also a former nun. She encouraged him to get involved in social justice work. He especially protested against the School of the Americas (now called the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation) in Georgia.
On July 29, 1986, he gave back his Medal of Honor. He put it in an envelope for President Ronald Reagan. He placed it near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.. This made him the only person to ever give back the Medal of Honor. The medal is now on display at the National Museum of American History.
He wanted to give back his Medal of Honor before starting the Veterans Fast for Life in September 1986. This was a protest against U.S. policies in Central America. He also spoke out against the war in Iraq. Charles Liteky passed away on January 20, 2017, at the age of 85.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Vietnam War
- Roy Bourgeois, activist Catholic priest who also served in Vietnam
- Brian Willson, antiwar activist, former U.S. Air Force officer who served in Vietnam
- Veterans Fast for Life
