Lt. Gen. Charles W. Bagnal, former commander for the US Army Western Command, later named US Army, Pacific, from June 1985 until his retirement in August 1989 died June 30, 2015 in Columbia, South Carolina. A West Point graduate, he was commissioned in 1956 into the Field Artillery. He later served in Vietnam.
In addition to his bachelor's degree from the US Military Academy, Bagnal obtained his master's in Aerospace Engineering from the Georgia Tech. His military schooling included the US Army War College.
Bagnal's major command experience began with the 101st Aviation Group of the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He later commanded the 101st Airborne Division. His time as Commanding General of the Western Command was considered a Joint Equivalent command.
A major duty assignment for Bagnal was his appointment as Deputy Superintendent at the US Military Academy from 1977-1980. After that he directed the Officer Personnel Management Directorate for the US Army Military Personnel Center in Alexandria, Virginia. Then he briefly served as Special Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel in Washington, DC in 1981. His final other major duty assignment was Deputy Commanding General for Training at the US Army Training and Doctrine Command in Fort Monroe, Virginia from 1983-1985.
Among General Bagnal's awards and decorations are the Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Silver Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Bronze Star Medal, 31 Air Medals, Presidential Unit Citation with oak leaf cluster, Master Army Aviator Badge and Air Assault Badge. His foreign decorations include the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with gold and bronze stars, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with palm and Vietnam Civil Actions Medal with oak leaf cluster. General Bagnal also has been decorated by the Heads of State of Japan, Thailand, Malaysia and South Korea.
Upon retiring from the Army Bagnal obtained a Juris Doctor degree from the University of South Carolina. He practiced law with the Ratchford Law Firm in Columbia from 1995-2005. Since retiring from the practice of law, Bagnal helped and advised many veterans seeking assistance with VA disability benefits and other legal matters on a pro bono basis. He was a life member of the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Association, the 101st Airborne Division Association, the 1st Cavalry Division Association, the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association and the Military Officers Association of America.
He was a member of the board of Directors of the West Point Society of Columbia for 12 years and chairman of the board for 8 years. In 7 of the 8 years of his chairmanship the association was recognized by the West Point Association of Graduates as a distinguished society. In 2009 General Bagnal was selected by The School Foundation in Florence, South Carolina as the Distinguished Graduate of Florence School District One.
Bagnal is survived by his wife Patsy to whom he was married for 59 years. Based upon his Army tours of duty, they travelled to 108 nations. He is also survived by his sons: Ruben (wife Charita), Charles, Jr. (wife Linda) and Joel; grandchildren: Katherine Babb (husband Adam), John Bagnal (wife Renata), Jordan Bagnal; Ruchelle Bagnal; Rizza Phillips (husband Richard); Raquel Bagnal; Shannon Bagnal and McKayla Bagnal; great grandchildren, Gage Babb and Riley Grace Phillips.
A Memorial Service was held July 7, 2015 at First Baptist Church, Columbia, SC with his final resting place in West Point Post Cemetery, West Point, New York.
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