Captain Charles M. Plumly: Obituary

Capt. Charles Moulton Plumly, USN (Ret.), 83, passed away on Thursday, Jan. 15, 2015, at Saint Joseph’s Hospital surrounded by his family. Born in Portland, Maine, to the late Clinton and Katharine Plumly, he attended the University of Maine (Beta Theta Phi fraternity) before receiving his congressional appointment to the United States Naval Academy, graduating in June 1955. Capt. Plumly committed 25 years to the United States Navy. He served on eight ships, commanding five of them. He had two Washington tours, attended two War Colleges and served in-country in Vietnam. His military decorations and awards include the Legion of Merit with Combat “V”, two Bronze Star Medals, all with Combat “V”, theater commendation, among other citations and award. Following his retirement from naval service, Charley’ s civilian endeavors continued in the maritime field as advisor to the Saudi Navy Expansion, partner in a small shipyard, Navy overhauls in Brooklyn Naval Shipyard, mega yacht captain and delivery captain of US Army tug boats The civilian accomplishment of which Charley was most proud, however, was being one of eight founding members of the Swift Boat Veterans and P.O.W.s for Truth. Capt. Plumly was a member of many organizations. He was a Mason, Shriner, legionnaire, elder in the Presbyterian Church, current member of Ellijay United Methodist Church and member of the New York Yacht Club, Norfolk Yacht Club and Country Club, Army Navy Town Club, lifetime U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association, lifetime NRA member, Navy League, Surface Naval Warfare and Swift Boat Sailor Association.

Charley is survived by his devoted wife, Sibyl, of 56 years; his sister, Judy, and husband, Ken Gale, of Needham, Mass.; son, Chad (Patsy), daughter, Honey (Mark de St. Aubin), all of Atlanta; his loving grandchildren include Charley III, Camille, Emma, Connor and Edward. Additional family members include brothers–in-law, Dave Middleton (Pam), Lane Middleton (Rosemary); sister-in –law, Connie Middleton; and many terrific nieces and nephews. He loved his family, his friends and his country.

Services will be held at the U.S. Naval Academy Chapel, Annapolis, Maryland, on Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2015, at 1 p.m., with internment at the USNA Columbarium. A Celebration of Life will be held at Ellijay United Methodist Church, Ellijay, on Saturday Feb. 7, 2015, at 2 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the Honor Flight Network at honorflight.org/donate. Honor Flight Network is a non-profit that transport America’s veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit and reflect at their memorials. Top priority is given to the senior veterans, World War II survivors, along with those other veterans who may be terminally ill.