Charlie Wilson (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charlie Wilson
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Photo ca. 1995
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 2nd district |
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| In office January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1997 |
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| Preceded by | John Dowdy |
| Succeeded by | Jim Turner |
| Member of the Texas Senate from District 3 (Lufkin) | |
| In office 1967–1971 |
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| Preceded by | Martin Dies, Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Don Adams |
| Member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 6 (Trinity) | |
| In office 1963–1967 |
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| Preceded by | Steve Burgess |
| Succeeded by | David Crews |
| Member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 18 (Trinity) | |
| In office 1961–1963 |
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| Preceded by | William Winston |
| Succeeded by | David Crews |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Charles Nesbitt Wilson
June 1, 1933 Trinity, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | February 10, 2010 (aged 76) Lufkin, Texas, U.S. |
| Resting place | Arlington National Cemetery Arlington County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses | Jerry Wilson (divorced) Barbara Alberstadt |
| Alma mater | United States Naval Academy, B.S. 1956 |
| Occupation | Naval officer Congressman |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1956–1960 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant |
Charles Nesbitt Wilson (born June 1, 1933 – died February 10, 2010) was an American politician. He was also a naval officer. People often called him Charlie Wilson. He served as a Representative for Texas for many years. He was a member of the Democratic Party.
Wilson is most famous for his role in supporting a secret mission. This mission was called Operation Cyclone. It was one of the largest secret operations ever done by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). This happened during the time of Presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan.
His story was so interesting that it became a non-fiction book. The book was called Charlie Wilson's War: The Extraordinary Story of the Largest Covert Operation in History. Later, a movie was made about it, called Charlie Wilson's War. The actor Tom Hanks played Charlie Wilson in the movie.
Charlie Wilson passed away in Lufkin, Texas, on February 10, 2010. He was 76 years old.
Contents
Who Was Charlie Wilson?
Charlie Wilson was born in Trinity, Texas. This was on June 1, 1933. He grew up in Texas. After high school, he went to the United States Naval Academy. He graduated in 1956.
He then served in the United States Navy. He was a naval officer for four years. This experience helped him learn about leadership. It also taught him about serving his country.
His Time in Politics
After his time in the Navy, Charlie Wilson entered politics. He started by serving in the Texas House of Representatives. He represented his home area of Trinity. He was a member of the Texas House from 1961 to 1967.
Next, he moved to the Texas Senate. He represented District 3, which included Lufkin, Texas. He served as a Texas Senator from 1967 to 1971. These roles helped him understand how laws are made.
In 1973, Charlie Wilson became a U.S. Representative. This meant he represented Texas in the national government. He served in the U.S. Congress for 24 years. He was a Representative for 12 terms.
A Big Mission: Operation Cyclone
Charlie Wilson is best known for his work on Operation Cyclone. This was a secret mission. It aimed to help people in Afghanistan. These people were fighting for their freedom.
Wilson worked hard behind the scenes in Congress. He helped get support for this mission. The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) was in charge of the operation. It was one of the biggest secret missions in history. Wilson believed in helping those fighting for their rights.
The Story Behind the Movie
Charlie Wilson's efforts were very important. His story was so unique that it caught the attention of writers. A book was written about his work. It showed how one person could make a big difference.
Later, the book was turned into a movie. The movie helped share his story with many more people. It showed how he worked with different groups to achieve his goals. The film highlighted his determination.
Later Life and Legacy
Charlie Wilson retired from Congress in 1997. He had served his country for many years. He passed away in 2010. He is remembered for his dedication to public service.
His work on Operation Cyclone had a lasting impact. It showed his ability to get things done. He is seen as a key figure in that historical event. His story continues to be told through the book and movie.
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