Journalist, Writer, Lecturer
Charles Wiley lecturing
SAYREVILLE Charlie Wiley died peacefully at home on March 9 at the age of 95.
Charlie was born in New York City on November 17, 1926, to Faye and Charles Wiley. He began life as a child actor. He had the distinction of being cast, as a child, in two Pulitzer Prize winning Broadway productions. At the age of 7 he appeared in “The Old Maid.” Later, he appeared as Wally Webb in the original cast of Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town.”
Soon after Pearl Harbor, at age 15, Charlie joined the USO and entertained at bases throughout the United States. He answered his country’s call by enlisting in the Navy, serving during the battle of Okinawa and taking part in the initial occupation of Japan. He later participated in the operation to evacuate the natives of Bikini Atoll prior to the atom bomb tests.
After the war, Charlie studied journalism at NYU. His great hunger for truth led him to travel to more than 100 countries and cover 11 wars, writing for publications such as The New York Times, U.S. News and World Report, Time, and Newsweek. His reporting also appeared on NBC, UPI, and The London Express.
As a journalist, he spent 4 tours in Vietnam, covering the war in 1962, 1964, the Tet Offensive in 1968 and the Easter Offensive in 1972.
For the last 50 years, Charlie was a well-known radio/TV talk show personality and commentator. He appeared on hundreds of networks and local programs- including many times on CNN and C-Span and was both a guest and host on Barry Farber’s Radio show.
Until his passing he was also an active lecturer in all 50 states and on six continents, sometimes under the auspices of the U.S. government. He was also on the AIM Speakers Bureau for over 30 years.
He also was a master of organization. In 1967, he organized the massive Support Our Boys in Vietnam Parade in New York City. In 1973, he organized the “Home With Honor” Parade.
One of Charlie’s great passions was educating young people. He spoke at dozens of colleges, high schools, and youth organizations all over the country. He spoke annually at UC Berkeley’s political science classes and Boys State high school groups in New Jersey and Wisconsin.
But in addition to all his professional accomplishments, Charlie was also a beloved character. He was quick with a joke and always there for people. He loved playing the horses and after WWII even tried briefly to see if he could make a living that way (he couldn’t). Charlie also prided himself for being able to play quarterback in the neighborhood touch football games even into his 70s “Life with Charlie was an amazing adventure,” recalls Alice Bell Wiley, Charlie’s wife of 38 years. “I always felt loved and privileged to have such a wonderful husband. I am so grateful to have been able to play a part on his world stage.”
Charlie will be sorely missed by his family and by countless numbers of friends who were fortunate to have known him. He is survived by his devoted wife Alice, his son Scott of Sayreville NJ and daughter Chris of Los Gatos CA and grandchildren Adrian and Katherine. He was pre-deceased by his first wife Tina and son Cliff.
Burial arrangements will be private, per the family.
Tribute: Charles W. Wiley
The Veteran Sage *Photos Submitted
By: Vilma E. Novak
SAYREVILLE, NJ – Charles Wiley, Combat Journalist, was a loyal fan of Perth Amboy, so much so he challenged Perth Amboy’s Edward Patten for his seat in the 1976 and 1978 congressional elections. In 1978 Charlie lost the election by 1%. A remarkable achievement in itself. The race was so close that one of the TV networks, early on, mistakenly called the race for Charlie.
Every year Charlie looked forward to receiving Kearny Cottage’s Historic Perth Amboy Calendar. Charlie spoke several times at Kearny Cottage, The Ferry Slip Museum, Perth Amboy Free Public Library and the Kiwanis Club. He told fascinating stories about American culture during WWII, his experience on the Sino-Soviet border witnessing their war games. He told about the time he was in Viet Nam when Saigon fell and how he snuck into Afghanistan during the Soviet occupation posing as a Pakistani physician. He taught Americanism at the University of St. Petersburg. I remember a time when my TV was on in the background and thought I heard Charlie’s voice on “Crossfire”, when I went to see, sure enough, it was Charlie!! Mostly I think of his kindness, humor and wisdom and how much a blessing it was to have known him and how fortunate our organizations were to have him speak to us.
For many years one of Charlie’s pet projects was founding the National Committee for Responsible Patriotism, (NCRP). Their purpose is to inform all as to how Viet Nam Vets, contrary to popular opinion, were honored when they returned home. One way they were honored was that there was a huge welcome home parade in New York City that lasted hours, media focused mostly on the few but raucous protestors there and that’s what most people remember. The following is the NCRP webpage where you can learn about the parades. Charlie founded and directed this organization to make sure there is a vehicle in place to show that Viet Nam Vets’ service was appreciated and that they were welcomed Home with Honor.
To see the parade and hear the story go to:
The work of NCRP will continue through Mrs. Charles Wiley, Alice, and the NCRP, Trustees
