CARLTON TATTERSALL CHAPMAN - SERGEANT MAJOR, USA, RETIRED

HISTORIAN, DEFENSE NUCLEAR AGENCY

Carlton (Cliff) Tattersall Chapman was born in Tela, Honduras, Central America, on December 27, 1934. He passed on September 13, 2012 at age 77 due to surgery complications.

He graduated from Bordentown Military Institute and attended the University of Maine and majored in Forestry.

He joined the U.S. Army in 1955. He was a member of the Honor Guard with the 3^rd Infantry Regiment at Arlington Cemetery. He worked at the Pentagon in the Assistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence, Chief of Staff, Army and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He served in Vietnam 1967-1968, and in Stuttgart, Germany, where he was involved with German-American Protocol and was one of the Founding Father’s of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Sergeant’s Club. He retired in 1976 as the Inspector General Sergeant Major at Ft. Belvoir, VA. In 1976 he worked as a Special Officer for the Secret Service. In 1980 he joined the Department of Army and assisted with medical studies on veterans exposed to Agent Orange and radiation conducted by the National Academy of Sciences and Centers for Disease Control. In 1987, he joined the Defense Nuclear Agency working on the Nuclear Test Personnel Review Program, which supported the Department of Veterans Affairs. He retired from the Defense Nuclear Agency in 1992 as a Historian.

After retiring he did volunteer historical work for the Prince William County Forest Park. He enjoyed traveling, with his wife and family, in the United States and other parts of the world, but especially enjoyed cruises, hunting, fishing, gardening and researching family genealogy.

He was a member of Theta Chi Fraternity, White House 1600 Communications Association, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the Disabled American Veterans, National Rifle Association; Associate Member of the Virginia Sheriff’s Association, Chapman Family Association (Genealogy), Bordentown Military Institute Alumni and the University of Maine Alumni.

His military decorations included the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal (7^th Award) National Defense Service Medal, Vietnamese Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, with Palm, Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge, Meritorious Unit Citation, 2 overseas Service Bars, the German Army Marksmanship in Bronze, Certificate of Recognition - Cold War, Defense Nuclear Agency Director’s Career Achievement Award and numerous civilian Outstanding Performance Awards.

His wife Gerry, of 51 years, preceded him in death. He has two daughters. Theresa Shaeffer married to Christopher with grandson Jeremiah, and granddaughter Veronica of Paso Robles, CA. Cynthia DePoy married to Brian with granddaughter Addison and grandsons Hudson and Bryson of Bealeton, VA. His father Harry E. Chapman and mother Grace Chapman preceded him in death.

Interment will be held at Arlington National Cemetery, Memorial Chapel, with Full Military Honors on January 30, 2013 at 11am.

A memorial gift in his honor can be sent online to the Disabled American Veterans.