MAJ Charles R. Soltes, Jr.

13 October 2004, Iraq

Civil Affairs

A native of Irvine, California, Major Charles R. Soltes, Jr. died 13 October 2004, from an improvised explosive device near Mosul, Iraq.

A graduate of Norwich University, Soltes was commissioned in 1990 in the U.S. Army Reserve. Following graduation from the New England College of Optometry in 1994, he served on active duty as an Optometrist. In 1999 he returned to the reserves and was assigned to the 7214th Medical Support Unit, Garden Grove, California.

MAJ Soltes joined 426th Civil Affairs Battalion in Upland, California in February 2004 as the Preventive Medicine Officer. He served there until his death during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM.