Charton Hardin Blanks, sympathy

2025-2026 Bill 5582: Charton Hardin Blanks, sympathy - South Carolina Legislature Online

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026
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H. 5582
STATUS INFORMATION
House Resolution
Sponsors: Rep. McDaniel
Document Path: LC-0516VR-RM26.docx
Introduced in the House on April 23, 2026
Currently residing in the House
Summary: Charton Hardin Blanks, sympathy
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS

Date

Body

Action Description with journal page number

4/23/2026

House

Introduced and adopted (
House Journal-page 8
)

4/23/2026

Scrivener's error corrected

View the latest
legislative information
at the website
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
04/23/2026
04/23/2026-A

A
house
RESOLUTION

TO EXPRESS THE PROFOUND SORROW OF THE MEMBERS OF THE
SOUTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UPON THE PASSING OF CHARLTON HARDIN
BLANKS OF CHESTER AND TO EXTEND THE DEEPEST SYMPATHY TO HIS FAMILY AND MANY
FRIENDS.

W
hereas, the members of
the South Carolina House of Representatives were deeply saddened to learn of
the passing of Charlton Hardin Blanks of Chester at the venerable age of
eighty-eight on April 17, 2026; and

W
hereas, born February
3, 1938, Charlton was known as a teen for riding his motorcycle about Chester
with his twin brother as "one of those Blanks boys." Charlton worked diligently
as a young man to achieve his goals. In preparation for his career, this 1956
graduate of Chester High School earned his bachelor's degree at the University
of South Carolina (USC) in 1961, followed by a master's degree from the
University of Utah in 1977. His hard work paid off; and

W
hereas, Charlton got
his first taste of military life when he joined the ROTC battalion at Clemson
University, which at that time was still an agricultural and mechanical
college. He was a member of the Pershing Rifles Honorary Military Society while
at Clemson. He later transferred to USC before graduating in 1961 and joining
the Marines; and

W
hereas, the young Charlton
started out as a PFC in the U.S. Marine Corps until he graduated from Officer
Candidate School. He attended USMC Officer Candidate School at Quantico Marine
Base in Virginia. After graduating, he was assigned to Camp Pendleton as an
infantry officer with the 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, where he went
through "Lock On" jungle training. He further attended Intelligence Officer School
at Fort Holabird in Maryland, with his Military Occupational Specialty being
intelligence. After intelligence training, his unit was sent to Vietnam. After
a brief stop in Okinawa, the unit was sent in-country to Vietnam. He practiced
his infantry officer skills and intelligence training from the De-Militarized
Zone in the northern part of Vietnam and came under fire at Khe Sanh Combat
Base. It was while stationed there that the new Marine learned an appreciation
for the U.S. Air Force. He made numerous trips into the jungle, setting up
places to broadcast with his radio unit, often having to hack his way through
the brush; and

W
hereas, Charlton
completed his first tour in Vietnam as an advisor, went home, and came back for
his second tour in 1968. He returned to Vietnam just in time for the Tet
Offensive. After that tour, he was attached to the Pentagon, working in
intelligence. During his third tour of duty, he was involved in the evacuation
of the villages near Saigon when the capital fell in 1975 at the end of the
war; and

W
hereas, after his
military service, for which he received numerous medals and honors, Charlton
Blanks continued to serve others by teaching physical science at Chester High
School. He served and developed many of Chester's finest citizens during his time
as an educator. Even after retiring from both the military and teaching,
Charlton's work and giving to Chester were not completed. He was a member of
First Baptist Church and served as deacon, assistant treasurer, Bible teacher
and Sunday school teacher, and Senior Club member. Other memberships and
leadership roles included Commander of VFW Post 5930, Commander of American
Legion Post 27, and Senior Vice Commandant of USMC League Detachment 1161. He
also was part of the South Carolina Senior Olympics and Civitan Club, and,
perhaps most notably, he was the longtime planner and master of ceremonies for
the Chester County Veterans Day Service and Memorial Day Observance; and

W
hereas, predeceased by
his lovely wife, Angie Johnson Blanks, Charlton leaves to cherish his memory
his daughter, Mary Beth Blanks Grumblus (Dave); his son, William Joseph Blanks
(Lindy); his granddaughter, Ariel Melinda Blanks; and a host of friends, whom
he loved dearly. He will be greatly missed. Now, therefore,

B
e it resolved by the
House of Representatives
:

T
hat the members of the
South Carolina
House of Representatives
,
by this resolution, express their profound sorrow upon the passing of Charlton
Hardin Blanks of Chester and extend the deepest sympathy to his family and many
friends.

B
e it further resolved
that a copy of this resolution be presented to the family.

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This web page was last updated on April 23, 2026 at 4:24 PM