[Kasik]

Chuck Sanders grew up with Mike Echanis and the two were the closest of friends.

Sanders was immensely talented in the Art of Judo and competed in this art while attending the University of Oregon in Eugene, Oregon, before enlisting.

On September 8, 1978, both were killed in an aviation crash near Lake Nicaragua along with former South Vietnamese commando and Airborne officer Nguyen "Bobby" Ngyuen.

On September 16th, 1978, Sanders and Echanis were laid to rest in Ontario, Oregon. Bobby Nguyen was laid to rest on the 17th. He is buried next to Mike per the Echanis Family's wishes and efforts.

Special Forces provided formal representation at the services per GEN McMull. This honor guard was led by then MSG Valdimer Jakovenko and selected members of his ODA, Company C, 3rd BN, 5th Special Forces Group (ABN) to include SSG James Lally, SSG Roger Bascomb and SFC Thomas Powell.

Charles Wilfred Sanders joined the Army on September 10, 1973.

He ETS'd on September 9, 1977 and joined his childhood friend and fellow Soldier, Mike Echanis, in Nicaragua.

Chuck's military education included the USAAHS MedCorps school, USAAHS MedSpec course, USAIMA MedSpec course, "Q" Course (1974), SF UnderwaterOps course (1975), USAIS Basic ABN course (1973) and USATC SLPP course (1973).

He was assigned to teams at both B and C companies, 3rd BN, 5th SFG(A).

His awards and decorations include the Soldier's Medal.

The citation narrative reads:

Sergeant Charles W. Sanders - United States Army - for heroism:

"Sergeant Sanders is cited for heroism while conducting mountain climbing training at 1100 hours, 12 May 1977, at Little Cottonwood Canyon, Utah.

"While participating in a "free climb" exercise on a mountain approximately 1500 feet high the third man (MSG Nail) slipped on a smooth granite slope. The climbing party was at the 1200 foot level above the base of the canyon with an 800 foot drop to the nearest rocks below.

"Master Sergeant Nail immediately yelled for a rope from the second man on the party, Master Sergeant Jakovenko. Master Sergeant Jakovenko threw a rope for Master Sergeant Nail but to no avail since he was already slipping at a high rate of speed to the nearest rocks 800 feet below.

"When Sergeant Sanders heard Master Sergeant Nail yelling he immediately looked up and saw him sliding towards his death 800 feet below unless he could be stopped.

"Completely disregarding his own safety he ran across 15 feet of dangerouslyl steep granite slope and threw his hands up in an attempt to stop Master Sergeant Nail's fall.

"He placed his right hand underneath Master Sergeant Nail's left foot and held him stationary while balancing himself. His and Master Sergeant Nail's complete weight was balanced on a one inch ledge being supported by Sergeant Sanders' toes.

"After staying in this precarious position for 7 minutes, Master Sergeant Jakovenko and Sergeant First Class Anderson lowerd a rope to the endangered men which they used to pull themselves to safety.

"Sergeant Anderson then lowered himself Sergeant Sanders; however, Sergeant Sanders refused to be assisted until Master Sergeant Nail was safely enroute to the top.

"The heroic manner in which Sergeant Sanders risked his life to save Master Sergeant Nail from sure death, with utter disregard for his own safety, makes him truly deserving of the award of the Soldier's Medal."

Chuck Sanders was awarded his black belt in Hwa Rang Do by Grandmaster Joo Bang Lee, 1st DAN, on April 10, 1975 (75-0653). Mike Echanis would be so acknowledged on the same date, his black belt number 75-0652)

On November 10, 1978, Grand Master Lee would posthumously award both Michael D. Echanis and Chuck Sanders their 3rd DAN "black sash" in Hwa Rang Do.

Two days prior to his passing he and Miss Susie Thomas, of Fayetteville, NC, were married in Managua, Nicaragua. Susie became close to the Sanders and Echanis families and remained in contact with them long after her husband's death.

Chuck is survived by his two brothers and two sisters. His parents passed away after their son.

Rest in peace, Chuck.