Charles L. Banks

Charles Louis Banks (July 30, 1914 – February 22, 1988) was a United States Marine Corps brigadier general. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions at the Battle of Chosin Reservoir during the Korean War.

Early life and career Charles L. Banks was born on July 30, 1914, in West Milford, New Jersey. He was raised in Newark and was appointed to the Virginia Military Institute upon graduating high school. At VMI, he studied artillery and liberal arts, graduating 5th in his class in 1936.

Banks was subsequently commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps and was assigned to the 10th Marines at Parris Island, South Carolina. By 1939, his battery moved to San Diego, California and joined the 15th Marines. There, he met and married Elizabeth A. Moses, the daughter of Brigadier General Emile P. Moses. Banks then attended the U.S. Army's field artillery school at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Afterwards, he served as an instructor of the Aerial Observer Course at Marine Corps Base Quantico. In January 1944, Banks was awarded the Silver Star and his first Legion of Merit for his actions at New Georgia. After completing his assignment, Banks retired as a brigadier general from the Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton.

After retirement, Banks worked for the Kaiser Engineering Company in Oakland, California. He died on February 22, 1988.