2007 — LTC (Ret) Charles K. “Banzai” Brantley


 

LTC (Ret) Charles K. “Banzai” Brantley

Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Charles K. “Banzai” Brantley attended the University of Oklahoma from 1969 to 1973 on a four year Army ROTC scholarship. Brantley was a Distinguished Military Graduate in 1973 and earned a degree in Asian Studies. He accepted a regular army commission into the Infantry Branch in 1973. During his long and distinguished career, Brantley earned a plethora of distinctions to include a Ranger Tab, a Special Forces Tab, Air Assault Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Combat Diver Badge, Master Freefall Badge, and 15 sets of foreign jump wings; His awards include 2 Legions of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, and the Soldiers Medal for Bravery which he received for staying on board a stalled aircraft to attend to an injured soldier after instructing his team to bail out during a demonstration jump with the Golden Knights, the U.S. Army’s Sport Parachute Team. Brantley is the former commander of the Golden Knights and a prominent member of the Golden Knights Alumni Association. He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in 1999. After retiring, Brantley developed a passion for helping underprivileged children and has since distinguished himself as a child protective services officer in Tampa, Florida. He continues to be active in his community as a volunteer for Girl Scouts of America and is a Master Mason.