Charlie Wilson (politician)

Charles Nesbitt Wilson (June 1, 1933 – February 10, 2010) was an American politician and naval officer. He was a 12-term Democratic United States Representative from Texas's 2nd congressional district.

Charlie Wilson
CharlieWilson.jpg
Photo ca. 1995
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Texas's 2nd district
In office
January 3, 1973 – January 3, 1997
Preceded byJohn Dowdy
Succeeded byJim Turner
Member of the Texas Senate from District 3 (Lufkin)
In office
1967–1971
Preceded byMartin Dies, Jr.
Succeeded byDon Adams
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 6 (Trinity)
In office
1963–1967
Preceded bySteve Burgess
Succeeded byDavid Crews
Member of the Texas House of Representatives from District 18 (Trinity)
In office
1961–1963
Preceded byWilliam Winston
Succeeded byDavid Crews
Personal details
Born
Charles Nesbitt Wilson

(1933-06-01)June 1, 1933
Trinity, Texas, U.S.
DiedFebruary 10, 2010(2010-02-10) (aged 76)
Lufkin, Texas, U.S.
Resting placeArlington National Cemetery
Arlington County, Virginia, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Jerry Wilson (divorced)
Barbara Alberstadt
Alma materUnited States Naval Academy, B.S. 1956
OccupationNaval officer
Congressman
Military service
Allegiance United States
Branch/service United States Navy
Years of service1956–1960
RankTemplate:Str number/trimpx Lieutenant

Wilson is best known for leading Congress into supporting Operation Cyclone, the largest-ever Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) covert operation under the Carter and Reagan administration.

His behind-the-scenes campaign was the subject of the non-fiction book Charlie Wilson's War: The Extraordinary Story of the Largest Covert Operation in History by George Crile III and the movie Charlie Wilson's War, starring Tom Hanks as Wilson.

Wilson died of cardiopulmonary arrest in Lufkin, Texas on February 10, 2010 at the age of 76.[1]

References

Other websites