Ransom ’01 Killed in Afghanistan

Ransom ’01 Killed in Afghanistan

Maj. Charles A. Ransom ’01, USAF, died on April 27, 2011, while on duty in Afghanistan. He was 31.

As a trainer assisting the Afghan National Security Forces, he was one of eight American NATO International Security Assistance Force service members who died as a result of enemy gunfire at the headquarters building of an Afghan air force compound in Kabul. Holding the rank of captain when he died, Ransom was posthumously promoted to major on May 3, 2011.

Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley approved the posthumous promotion of Ransom, whose home base was the 83rd Network Operations Squadron at Langley Air Force Base, Virginia.

Then-Cadet Charles Ransom, front row, center, was the class of 2001 vice president. He will be remembered for his loyal support of his Brother Rats and his reliable friendship.

At the time of his death, Ransom had been selected for major by the Central Selection Board and was qualified for appointment. “The secretary of the Air Force approving Maj. Ransom’s promotion is very fitting,” said Maj. May King, the Integrated Network Operations and Security Center East flight commander.

“Last year, Charles was selected by senior leaders for promotion to major based on his record of performance. Prior to the decrease in monthly promotion increments,Charles would have been promoted to major some time ago. I am very happy that [Secretary Donley] honored the selection and promoted him.”

King called Ransom an officer from whom he could learn and the kind of person who was always willing to help others. “The saying is that you learn something from everyone, good or bad,” King said. “Working with Charles for the past three years, I’ve only learned good things from him, to include how to be a better leader. In addition to being a high caliber officer, Charles was a good person. He put others first always and was the type of person to give you the shirt off his back if you needed it. I am honored to have worked with and known Charles.”

Maj. Ransom sent the above photo to his friend and Brother Rat, Alex Tedla, shortly before he was killed in action.

During his four years at VMI, Ransom, a computer science major, served on the General Committee as vice president of the class of 2001. He was also a cadet corporal, platoon sergeant and Rat Challenge corporal. In addition, he worked as a library assistant during his third, second and first class years.On graduation, he commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Force.

The class of 2001 issued the following statement regarding Ransom’s death: “The class of 2001 mourns the loss of our Brother Rat and vice president, Charles Ransom. Charles will be remembered for his loyal support to his Brother Rats, as well as his reliable friendship. During a speech to the class after Breakout in 1998, Charles promised he would be a fighter for all of us. He was. Charles continued that fight for his country as an officer in the U.S. Air Force and died serving in harm’s way on our behalf. The great love of our class swells for Charles and his family. You will be so greatly missed, Brother Rat.”