Brigadier
General (U.S. Army, Retired)
Charles
F. Briggs
Died
Dec. 1, 2015
SUTTONS BAY – Brigadier General (U.S.
Army, retired) Charles Forrest Briggs, 81, of Suttons Bay, was welcomed into
the loving care of our Lord on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015 at his home with his sons
by his side.
Charles was born on Jan. 29, 1934 in Battle Creek, the son of Charles and Lilah (Hall) Briggs. On Aug. 18, 1956 at the Second Congregational Church in Grand Rapids he married Doris M. Lower, who preceded him in death on Dec. 15, 2012.
He graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in History in 1956 and commissioned as a Reserve Officer in the Adjutant General Corps. While at Western, he was a member of the TKE Fraternity. Upon completion of the Adjutant General Officer Basic Course in 1957, he was assigned to Fort Devens, Massachusetts.
After receiving a commission in the Regular Army, General Briggs attended the Infantry Officer Basic Course in 1959 and subsequently served a two-year infantry tour in the 3rd Armored Division. He completed this tour in Germany as Personnel Management Officer, Office of the Division Adjutant General. From July 1963 to July 1965, he served as an Action Officer at the Department of the Army Headquarters (HQDA), Office of Personnel Operations.
In July 1965, General Briggs was assigned to South Vietnam as Personnel Advisor to the Joint General Staff, Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces. General Briggs returned in 1966 to HQDA for duties in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel (DCSPER) and later in the Office of the Chief of Staff.
From July 1970 to July 1971, General Briggs served as Adjutant General of the 4th infantry Division in Vietnam and as Director of Military Personnel, U.S. Army, Republic of Vietnam, before being assigned to the U.S. Army Pacific Adjutant General Office. He headed the Education Directorate of TAG from July 1973 until his August 1975 appointment as Training and Doctrine Command Adjutant General. General Briggs returned to Washington in May 1977 as Chief, Enlisted Division, HQDA, DCSPER. In August 1978, he was selected Deputy TAG.
General Briggs assumed command of the Reserve Components Personnel and Administration Center in St. Louis in July 1980. This key position was followed by assignment as the Commanding General, 1st Personnel Command; Adjutant General, U.S. Army Europe and 7th Army; and Commander, Heidelberg Military Community in August 1982. He arrived at Forces Command Headquarters in September 1984 as the DCSPER and retired from that position in March of 1986.
General Briggs was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Expert Infantryman Badge, and the Army General Staff Identification Badge.
He earned his Master of Arts degree in Personnel Administration from George Washington University in 1967 and was a graduate of the Adjutant General Officer Advanced Course, the Armed Forces Staff College, and the National War College. In addition to his degrees from Western Michigan University and George Washington University, he attended the Advanced Management Program at Emory University and the Senior Executives in Government Program at Harvard University.
Charles is survived by his two sons, Col. Steven J. (Brenda) Briggs (U.S. Army, retired), and Charles E. Briggs; two grandchildren, Steven F. Briggs and Megan E. (Capt. Andrew) Cahan; great-grandchildren, Caroline and Claire Cahan; and sisters, Patricia Miller and Judy Lohse.
In addition to his wife of 56 years, Charles was preceded in death by his parents.
Charles was born on Jan. 29, 1934 in Battle Creek, the son of Charles and Lilah (Hall) Briggs. On Aug. 18, 1956 at the Second Congregational Church in Grand Rapids he married Doris M. Lower, who preceded him in death on Dec. 15, 2012.
He graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in History in 1956 and commissioned as a Reserve Officer in the Adjutant General Corps. While at Western, he was a member of the TKE Fraternity. Upon completion of the Adjutant General Officer Basic Course in 1957, he was assigned to Fort Devens, Massachusetts.
After receiving a commission in the Regular Army, General Briggs attended the Infantry Officer Basic Course in 1959 and subsequently served a two-year infantry tour in the 3rd Armored Division. He completed this tour in Germany as Personnel Management Officer, Office of the Division Adjutant General. From July 1963 to July 1965, he served as an Action Officer at the Department of the Army Headquarters (HQDA), Office of Personnel Operations.
In July 1965, General Briggs was assigned to South Vietnam as Personnel Advisor to the Joint General Staff, Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces. General Briggs returned in 1966 to HQDA for duties in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel (DCSPER) and later in the Office of the Chief of Staff.
From July 1970 to July 1971, General Briggs served as Adjutant General of the 4th infantry Division in Vietnam and as Director of Military Personnel, U.S. Army, Republic of Vietnam, before being assigned to the U.S. Army Pacific Adjutant General Office. He headed the Education Directorate of TAG from July 1973 until his August 1975 appointment as Training and Doctrine Command Adjutant General. General Briggs returned to Washington in May 1977 as Chief, Enlisted Division, HQDA, DCSPER. In August 1978, he was selected Deputy TAG.
General Briggs assumed command of the Reserve Components Personnel and Administration Center in St. Louis in July 1980. This key position was followed by assignment as the Commanding General, 1st Personnel Command; Adjutant General, U.S. Army Europe and 7th Army; and Commander, Heidelberg Military Community in August 1982. He arrived at Forces Command Headquarters in September 1984 as the DCSPER and retired from that position in March of 1986.
General Briggs was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Expert Infantryman Badge, and the Army General Staff Identification Badge.
He earned his Master of Arts degree in Personnel Administration from George Washington University in 1967 and was a graduate of the Adjutant General Officer Advanced Course, the Armed Forces Staff College, and the National War College. In addition to his degrees from Western Michigan University and George Washington University, he attended the Advanced Management Program at Emory University and the Senior Executives in Government Program at Harvard University.
Charles is survived by his two sons, Col. Steven J. (Brenda) Briggs (U.S. Army, retired), and Charles E. Briggs; two grandchildren, Steven F. Briggs and Megan E. (Capt. Andrew) Cahan; great-grandchildren, Caroline and Claire Cahan; and sisters, Patricia Miller and Judy Lohse.
In addition to his wife of 56 years, Charles was preceded in death by his parents.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 4 at the Martinson Funeral Home of Suttons Bay. The funeral service will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, Dec. 5 at Keswick United Methodist Church of Suttons Bay with the family greeting friends one hour prior to the service. A luncheon will follow the service, also at the church. Private family burial will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Augusta, MI at a later date. Rev. Patricia Haas will officiate.
Memorials may be directed to Keswick United Methodist Church, 3376 S. Center Hwy., Suttons Bay, MI 49682 and/or to the American Cancer Society, c/o RFL of Leelanau Co., 129 Jefferson Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
Please share memories with the Briggs family at www.martinson.info.
Arrangements are with the Martinson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Leelanau.
I am very saddened at the death of my friend Chuck. I first met Chuck playing golf in Florida 15 years ago. My late wife, Marian & I became good friends with Chuck & Doris and spent happy times with them in Florida, Suttons Bay & Oakville Canada. Not only was Chuck a great military man but he was the greatest humanitarian I have ever met. My heart goes out to the family at this sad time.
ReplyDeleteDon Bowder.
Chuck Briggs and his late wife Doris have been our friends for more than 50 years. Chuck set the example for others to follow and was always willing to help the less fortunate. It was my honor to serve with him for many years. Sincerely, Tom Shaylor, Col. USA Ret.
ReplyDeleteHaving just found out this morning about Uncle Chuck I am saddened by the news, especially because I didn't get a chance to attend viewing or funeral. I am glad though to know that he is no longer in pain and at peace. My condolences go out to Cousins Steve & Eddie (Charles Edward) and families. Uncle Chuck was a great man with a whole lot of accomplishments to his credit. I am honored to have known him. Would welcome hearing from Steve or Charles Edward. R.I.P. Uncle Chuck....
ReplyDeleteI worked for General Briggs at the Command Group, 1st PERSCOM, Schwetzingen, Germany. He was a powerful presence for us young soldiers, and a kind man with a good heart. Sorry to hear of his passing. RIP General Briggs.
ReplyDeleteSad to hear about the passing of General Briggs. I was fortunate to serve with General Briggs twice during the 1980s, first in Germany and later in Atlanta. It was an honor when I was appointed to assist he and Doris with their retirement preparations at Fort McPherson. He was an inspirational leader and one great Army General!
ReplyDeleteBill Adams, LTC, USA (Ret.)
Chuck is a friend that I only met shortly after his wife's passing. We shortly became acquainted with each other and enjoyed planning and taking care of the Memorial Garden at Keswick. His rock solid faith in Christ & Righteousness gives sure hope that we will meet again in our perfect bodies. His favorite line to others, after they had completed a good job was, "Take the rest of the day off."
ReplyDeleteWell done my friend,
Rick Bowman