Charles C. Nast

Charles Coudert Nast (July 23, 1903 – January 9, 1981) was an American attorney and military officer from New York. A longtime member of the New York Army National Guard, He was a veteran of World War II and the Occupation of Japan, and was a recipient of the Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster and the New York Conspicuous Service Cross.

A native of Tuxedo Park, New York and the son of Condé Nast, Charles C. Nast graduated from the Middlesex School, and received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Harvard College in 1925 and an LL.B. from Columbia Law School in 1927. After serving in the office of the Attorney General of New York, Nast practiced corporate law as a partner with the firm of DeWitt, Nast, Diskin & Martini, in addition to serving as general counsel of Condé Nast publications.

In 1925, Nast enlisted in the Massachusetts Army National Guard, and he later transferred his military membership to New York. He received his officer's commission in 1932, and was a captain at the start of World War II. Nast served in the Pacific theater with the 27th Infantry Division. Nast took part in the post-war Occupation of Japan, the rejoined the New York Army National Guard. In December 1950, he was promoted to brigadier general and assigned as assistant division commander of the 42nd Infantry Division. He was assigned as the division commander in 1957 and promoted to major general in 1959. He remained in command until ending his active military service in 1963, and he retired in 1967.

Nast died in Manhattan on January 9, 1981. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Early life and civilian career Charles Coudert Nast was born in Tuxedo Park, New York, on July 23, 1903, the son of Condé Nast and Jeanne Clarisse (Coudert) Nast. Frederic René Coudert Sr. was his mother's uncle, and several Coudert family members were involved with the prominent Coudert Brothers law firm. He graduated from the Middlesex School, then attended Harvard College, from which he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1925. While in college, Nast was active on the staff of The Harvard Crimson and the Harvard Graduates' Magazine. He was admitted to the bar in January 1928 and accepted a position as a deputy in the office of the Attorney General of New York.

Nast practiced corporate law with the firm of DeWitt, Nast, Diskin & Martini. In addition, he was general counsel for Condé Nast publications. He served until September 1925, when he became an inactive National Guard member, and he was discharged in November.

Following the Surrender of Japan in August 1945, the U.S. military began the post-war Occupation of Japan. Nast, by now serving as Judge Advocate General on the 27th Division's staff, was assigned to lead the division's advance party, which arrived in Japan ahead of the division's main body to make arrangements including travel, food, and lodging. He remained on New York's inactive National Guard list until July 1967, when he retired.

Nast died in Manhattan on January 9, 1981.