Charles Robert Scruggs

Command Sergeant Major (Retired) Charles R. Scruggs, passed away at his home in Crawfordsville, IN Sunday evening, April 2, 2017. His beloved wife Martha Theresia Scruggs, preceded him in death Sunday Oct 17, 2010. Born April 9, 1931 in Gaffney, SC to Paul and Marvalle "Beatrice" (Parker) Scruggs, he grew up in challenging conditions. After a hard-scrabble upbringing in the rural south, including North and South Carolina and Georgia, he joined the Army at 17 in 1948. His Army career brought him success, world-wide adventure, the love of his life, and three loving children.

After completing his initial training as a field artilleryman, he was assigned to field artillery units in Bavaria, Germany. His initial service included time with the United States Constabulary, the military occupation and security force in occupied Germany. During his initial tour in Germany, he met and married the love of his life, Martha Theresia (Mueller) Scruggs in Sonthofen, five kilometers from her hometown in Blaichach, Germany. Blaichach and the large Mueller clan became a central facet of his family life from that time forward. Martha's brothers and sister welcomed him to her family and enjoyed many visits from Charles and his family.

A career Soldier, after his early years with cannon artillery units, he spent most of his career involved with nuclear rockets and missiles, some of the most sensitive and demanding work in the Army. In his 30-year career, he spent nearly half his time in Germany. In an unusual twist for a career Soldier, Crawfordsville would come to play a central part in his Army career. The 139th Field Artillery Battalion, Indiana Army National Guard, was one of the first National Guard units to receive the Honest John rocket, a nuclear capable weapon. Assigned to the 6th Field Artillery Rocket battery, part of the 11th Airborne Division, the unit completed training at Fort Bragg and then deployed to Germany. An expert in the Honest John weapons system, CSM Scruggs was assigned as a member of the Fifth US Army Advisor Group, stationed in Crawfordsville from 1959 to 1963 to advise and train the Indiana National Guard Soldiers. After four years training and advising in Crawfordsville, he returned to Germany for an operational assignment with nuclear artillery. A chance arose for CSM Scruggs to return to central Indiana, this time as the principle drill instructor from 1966 to 1968 with the Purdue Army ROTC detachment. The family returned to Crawfordsville and remained in Crawfordsville during his deployment to Vietnam during the height of the fighting in 1968-69. CSM Scruggs deployed to Vietnam and was initially assigned to the Third Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division. Selected for promotion to E-8/First Sergeant, he was assigned to serve as the First Sergeant of the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 23rd Field Artillery Group, including during the famed Tet Offensive. 1SG Scruggs prided himself on ensuring his unit was fit for combat duty and did everything possible to ensure his Soldiers survived combat. Until his last days, he would still talk of the Soldiers he lost and wonder whether he could have done anything else to save them. After returning from Vietnam, he again served as the Principle Drill Instructor at Purdue from 1969 until 1971. He again returned to Germany, this time serving as the First Sergeant of Charlie Battery, 3rd Battalion, 79th Field Artillery, a Lance missile unit. After his promotion to Command Sergeant Major, his final Army assignment was as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the South Dakota Army National Guard at Camp Rapid, South Dakota.

In addition to his time in Vietnam and Germany, CSM Scruggs visited most of western Europe and the United States. He also deployed to Turkey in support of nuclear deterrence operations against the Soviet Union. His many awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with four campaign stars, and the Army of Occupation Medal - Germany.

Following his retirement from the Army, he returned to Crawfordsville where he spent 10 years as a department manager with Ayr-Way department store in Crawfordsville, and later with its successor, Target. Charles and his wife Martha were active in the community, long-time members of St. Bernard's parish and as volunteers for Hospice and Meals on Wheels. In recent years, "Charlie" could often be seen around Crawfordsville in his Army dress blue uniform, visiting children in local elementary schools educating them on the military and the Vietnam War or veterans in nursing homes to bring them a little cheer and company in their final days.

He is survived by son Raymond Scruggs, Robinson, Illinois; two daughters, Martha (Alan) Mitman, Summerfield, NC and Barbara (Kevin) Walker, Lafayette, IN. He was a loving grandfather (opa) of six grandchildren, Eric Price, Kelsey (Mitman) Goldstein, Atlanta, Georgia, Kaylyn Mitman, Raleigh, NC, Kevin, Kurt, and Katarina Walker, Lafayette, IN and 3 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 11:00 to 12:00 with funeral mass to follow at 12:00. The funeral Mass will be held at St. Bernard's Catholic Church, 1306 E. Main St., Crawfordsville, on Tuesday, April 11, 2017. Interment at Calvary Cemetery will immediately follow the mass. Military Rites will be conducted by the U.S. Army and the American Legion Post #72 Honor Guard. A luncheon at St. Bernard's Catholic Church will follow the interment.