Charles "Chuck" Joseph McGarry

Retired Lieutenant Colonel Charles (Chuck) McGarry passed away suddenly while working in Buenos Aires, Argentina. He was born and raised in Philadelphia, PA. Retired LTC Charles (Chuck) McGarry lived life to the fullest and didn’t hesitate to share his opinion. He loved fiercely and with his whole heart. He adored his wife, children, and grandchildren, his fellow military service men and women especially the Special Forces brothers, great music, sports, guns, classic cars, karaoke, and dancing. He is deeply loved and will be missed by many.

Retired LTC Charles (Chuck) McGarry was preceded in death by his mother Kathryn “Kate” McGarry and his father Edward “Ed” McGarry. He is survived by; his wife Evgeniya; his brothers Tommy, Joe, Ed, and Charlie; his sisters Kathy, Audrey, and Maureen; his children Brittany, Chuck Jr, Megan, and Sean Alexander; his stepdaughter Ekaterina; his niece Shannon; his nephew Sean; his grandchildren Fiona, Kennedy, Clash, Mercy, Judith, Mia Jane, Dahlia and Charles.

Retired LTC Charles (Chuck) McGarry enlisted in the United States Army in 1989 and spent his first three years of service with 1st Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery, at Fort Stewart, GA, as a Stinger and Avenger Team Leader. He then attended Special Forces Qualification Course (18D) in 1993 and was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (A), Fort Bragg, NC, 1994 -1999. While assigned to 3rd Group, he participated in Operation Uphold and Maintain Democracy in Haiti and deployed on foreign internal defense and counter-narcotics operations missions in the Caribbean and South America. He culminated his enlisted career as a Senior Medical Operations Sergeant, achieved the rank of Sergeant First Class and was decorated for lifesaving interventions in Haiti, Antigua and Venezuela.

Retired LTC Charles (Chuck) McGarry was commissioned through Officer Candidate School (1999). His commissioned duty assignments include Assistant S-3 and Platoon Leader 40th Signal Battalion, Fort Huachuca, Arizona; Signal Detachment (SIGDET) Commander and Battalion Signal Officer for 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (A), Fort Bragg, NC and then Battalion Signal Officer and HHC Commander for the 96th Civil Affairs Battalion (A). He then transferred to the Republic of Korea first serving with Field Station Korea (SIGO), 532nd Military Intelligence Battalion, at Camp Humphreys; then Battalion S-3, 36th Signal Battalion, at Camp Walker; and lastly as Brigade S-3, 1st Signal Brigade, Yongsan, Korea. He next assumed duties as J-63 NATO Cyber Security, SHAPE Headquarters, Mons, Belgium where he was Director of Operations Cyber Security, a 200 member international military and civilian organization responsible for NATO communications services to 51 sites.

Retired LTC Charles (Chuck) McGarry was then reassigned first as Deputy G-6, at United States Army Japan, at Camp Zama, Japan in 2015 before becoming Commander, 78th Signal Battalion. As Battalion Commander (2016-17), he was responsible for delivering 24/7 global joint and agency network connectivity to Southeast Asia/Indian Ocean region and for more than 400 personnel. As Test Director/Multi-Domain Operations (2017-18), he supervised planning and execution of all US Army Japan multi domain operations. Following 29 years of military service including 10 years enlisted service, he went on to provide strategic cyber consulting to Booz Allen Hamilton (2019), acted as Cyber Consultant supporting the Ministry for Defense in Montenegro (2020) and Argentina (2022), and formed the Charles McGarry Consultancy LLC (2022).

Retired LTC Charles (Chuck) also served combat tours with 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group in Southeastern Afghanistan. He received a Master's Degree in IT Management from Webster University (2012). His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (5OLC), Army Commendation Medal (9), Army Achievement Medal (10), Special Forces Tab, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Free Fall Badge and Venezuelan Jumpmaster Wings.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 9 at Zoeller Funeral Home, 615 Landa St, New Braunfels, TX at 10:00 AM followed by Christian Service at 11:00 AM followed by Committal Ceremony at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery at 1:15PM. In lieu of flowers, gifts to support the current and future needs of Sean Alexander McGarry in the wake of this tragic loss are appreciated and can be sent via Zelle or check; please send email to [email protected] to request details. Condolences and remembrances may be shared with his family at www.dignitymemorial.com.