Semper fidelis.
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Leave a tributeSemper fidelis.
I, unfortunately, had only a mere moment of getting to know Mr. Dowling. However, knowing his son very well, I can say that a moment was all I needed to understand the kind of person he was and will continue to be in our hearts. Charlie Jr. constantly had a sense of pride about him regarding his father. Someone who I knew, as soon as I looked at him when he was talking about his dad, made him who he is today: a loyal, strong-willed, confident man who would do anything for his country and his loved ones. Mr. Dowling, you raised such an amazingly strong family and a wonderful son.
Rest in peace, sir.
When I first check into the unit, Major Dowling was forwarded deployed to South Africa, all I kept hearing from everyone on the staff was wait until the Major get back, he doesn't play, he has high standards.
All I can say after meeting him is this,and anyone who has had both the honor and opportunity to know him, will know this to be true, He was a true Marine, he worked hard, he demanded the best of you, and no matter the situation or time of day, he did everything within his power to take care of you.
Major Dowling led his Marines from the front, he did this with grace, honor and unlimited commitment. I cannot find the words to convey the sorrow that I feel for Cathy and the Dowling family at this time. All I can say is rest in peace, you will be missed.
I'm amazed by the extent of Charlie's influence and reputation as a leader of men. Having shared the news of his passing with friends from our grade school days, I learned that one had made a comment in passing to a Marine he worked with while in Vegas about losing a childhood friend who was in the corps. This marine immediately piped up and asked if that marine was Col. Dowling. He went on to say, "Colonel Dowling was a great leader, family man and an overall caring person who cared for his marines."
Rest in peace, buddy. You stand relieved.
From my initial encounter with Charlie when he was a First Lieutenant at Edson Hall in Quantico, to our last farewell as he pinned on Colonel at I MEF, Charlie was the embodiment of a Marine Officer. He personified Gen Lejeune’s message:
“The relation between officers and enlisted men should in no sense be that of superior and inferior nor that of master and servant, but rather that of teacher and scholar. In fact, it should partake of the nature of the relation between father and son…”
He loved his Marines as though they were family, and always treated them that way. The ability to be truly happy and successful in life requires a supportive family at home. Kathy forever opened her house to entertain their extended ‘Marine Family.’
Charlie was admired not just for his success as a Marine; he was also looked up to for his devotion to his family. I respect the love he shared with Kathy, Shannon, and young Charlie. He was the man he was because of his family.
I’m left with the indelible memory of Charlie’s hearty laugh, while he maintained that look in his eye that you knew he’s got your back, and would never let you down.
Charlie, my brother, Fair Winds and Following Seas – until we meet again.
I'm so sorry to hear this sad news. My heart goes out to you and your children. You and Chuck were the "grown ups" for us at U of R...with the patience and laughter to be in that role. You were also very clearly loving and good together. I hope you have so many happy memories of your life together and somehow they ease his absence. Warmest condolences and hugs, Monica (Arnow) Greenwood
Kathy, Charlie & Shannon: Our prayers are with you now and always. Charlie was loved by so many and so are you! God Bless You and Keep You.
Semper Fi,
Herb
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers. For he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother. And u are our brother. Fair winds...
Tom Oates
At ease Marine, Area all secure Sir!
Cpl. J. Dragich
Semper Fi, MGunns Wesseler - Cincinnati
I wanted to offer you my deep condolences, but also to share a story about Charlie that will stay with me all the days of my life.
Last year, he told several members of the Division staff how he came to your WHBM store in his Dress Blue Alpha uniform, shouting out to all your customers, "there she is...that's my wife!" and then presented you a bouquet of flowers on bended knee.
I know this story brings back both memories of happiness and profound sadness, but I wanted to tell you about the enduring impact it had on me. It spoke to me about Charlie's love for you, as well as his nobility as a man. Ever since I first heard him tell it, that story has served as a reminder about how I need to show love for my wife and children.
Charlie will forever be a role model to me in so many ways. He was not only the omni-competent Marine Corps officer and leader, he was also someone that I greatly admired.
I am still in shock on hearing the news of his passing. Please be assured of our prayers, and know that Charlie will never be forgotten.
With deep sorrow and prayer,
Guy Lee
I MEF Chaplain
(formerly served with Charlie on the 1st Marine Division Staff)
You inspire me today, Charlie Dowling, to live a life worthy of our friendship.
Semper Fidelis, Charlie. We have the watch.
John Payne, Jr.
LtCol (Ret)
U.S. Marine Corps
I remember the day you came and told Kathy and I of your intentions - with that same excitement that you brought each and every time we saw you - whether it was Rochester, Lejune, Ohio, Quantico or Newport!
You and Kathy truly lived your mission with the zeal and energy and excitement that few of us bring to the table.
My memories extend from the funny little kid who we yelled at for making faces in our wedding photos back in 1980 to the proud and deserving Colonel who received those accolades with Kathy and Mom in Newport last year.
Your passing leaves a giant size hole in the hearts of the entire Peragallo, Dowling, Hunt and Koning families. You will be missed!
Your brother in law and friend...
John III
Leave a Tribute
I was thinking of you and Charlie today. He was an extraordinary human being, and an amazing leader of Marines. I'm so sorry for your loss. I was thinking of my time visiting Region 6, when he was in command, and how grateful I was for his wisdom and your hospitality.
God bless.
Perspective
As we celebrate his 50th Birthday today, I pulled out an email that I have kept since the day he left the 1st Marine Division G-6. Charlie hired me as a GS after 7 years of working at the G-6 as a contractor, I was at an appointment on his last day. So I sent him an email thanking him for everything he did for me, and a couple of things in his reply made my day. He told me that he was skeptical about hiring me, but that he could not deny the experience I brought to the G-6. And that looking back he stated it was the best hire he ever had any involvement with. He stated that he loved my tenacity, and that I was "HIS" Pitbull, and that he enjoyed working with me even though I gave him a hard time about an Ohio State T-Shirt he would wear to PT in. Being a Michigan Man I would occasionally send him emails or put Michigan stuff in his office. It was all in good fun and he get a good laugh out of it. As time has rolled by I look at the memorial plaque that sits in the G-6 with his picture and bio on it, it is a reminder everyday for me to live up to the standards that Col Dowling set for me when he hired me. I Miss You Sir!
Semper Fi, God Speed, Rest Peacefully!
My Replacement
Recently I was reminiscing about some of my old friends and wondering where life had brought them. In particular, I thought of who was my relief in the Comm Dept at MCAS Tustin, CA. Being the old salt I considered myself and just starting my second enlistment, he came aboard as my replacement before I headed to Camp Lejeune. Corporal Dowling was enthusiastic as new Marines normally were and what better place to be than in Southern California? For the short amount of time we knew one another we became friends and eventually invited him over for some culinary delights what home cooking could bring. Being newlyweds, Val and I experienced the usual technical problems that come along with cooking chicken. Needless to say, the three of us agreed that pizza was a better option as we shared stories and laughs that night. The time spent then and the short remaining weeks that remained in Tustin was something not realized then but in my youth and naiveté, I took for granted.
I must admit that after discovering Charlie’s passing I was surprised and saddened. Reading over these tributaries that Corporal, and eventually Colonel, Dowling was a man who had that same enthusiasm, concern, and moral compass which withstood the close to 30 years that have passed between then and now. Looking back on those memories, there was no surprise when he shared how he had been accepted to Embassy Guard duty and then into the MECEP program. Charlie had traits that embodied integrity and professionalism. Traits of the Marine Corps and traits that most people could only wish they had.
In closing and to his wife, children, parents, all parts of his family, and all Marines who he has touched…
I cannot express how Val and I are so lucky as to have had Charlie a part of our lives (as brief as it had been). Evident of that is that before sharing the news about Charlie, I showed her a picture of Colonel Dowling and without hesitation, she exclaimed, “That’s Charlie!”