Charles W. Paddock (1900-1943) is a Notable burial at https://www.cem.va.gov/cems/nchp/sitka.asp.  He was born in Texas, but Pasadena, California, was home for most of his life. He graduated from the University of Southern California in 1922 and ran through existing school and world record times for short-distance races. He held records in the 100-metre and 200-metre, and 100-yard and 220-yard events through the 1920s, and in 1921 Paddock earned the nickname, "World's Fastest Human." He represented the United States in three Olympics – 1920, 1924, 1928 – medaling in the first two and retiring in 1929. Off the track he was a noted journalist and U.S. Army veteran of World War I. In 1942, Paddock was commissioned as a captain the U.S. Marine Corps and as an aide to Major General William Upshur in World War II. Both were killed in a plane crash near Sitka, Alaska, on July 23.
https://usopm.org/charley-paddock/.
*The preceding content is not intended as a comprehensive biography, but it highlights their significance as a result of military or civilian distinction, lasting achievements, or association with impactful national events. 

Charles William Paddock: A True American Hero

Through his unprecedented achievements in athletics, advocacy for athlete rights, and courageous military service, Charles William Paddock epitomized American resilience and heroism, cementing his legacy as a transformative figure in the records of sports and national history. 
Paddock was born on August 11, 1900 in Gainesville, Texas. However, his family soon moved west to Pasadena City, California hoping to avoid Texas’s potentially harmful climate. A decade later, Paddock’s high school experience was interrupted by the United States joining World War I, subsequently forcing him to enlist in the US Army Field Artillery as a Second Lieutenant in the American Expeditionary Force on July 12, 1918. The war ended only a few months after Paddock was deployed, and after returning home, he graduated from high school in 1920 and continued his education at the University of Southern California. Paddock dominated on the track in the 1920s, setting and holding records in the 100- and 200-meter dash––unanimously dubbing him the “fastest human being”––and winning two gold and two silver medals in three Olympic Games. Paddock faced major controversy as he spoke out against unfair treatment from the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU), a major organization in the sports world. Charles Paddock revolutionized athlete treatment, paving the way for endorsements, fame, and the recognition and compensation that athletes deserve.
	After his track career, Paddock turned to journalism as an editor and publisher in Pasadena. He married Neva Prisk Malaby in 1930 and welcomed their son, Charles William Paddock Jr, the following year. However, Paddock’s quiet life was interrupted by the start of World War II, prompting him to apply for the Marine Corps Department of the Pacific on June 18, 1942. There, Paddock developed a strong reputation, reflected in a letter from the Commanding Major General William P. Upshur, who described him as “outstanding material” for the Marines. Such praise was echoed in more recommendations from distinguished military leaders, all lauding Paddock for his outstanding character and “We’ll do it” mentality. His stellar performance and glowing recommendations soon secured him a position on General Upshur’s general staff as his official aide. Within months, Paddock was promoted from Private First Class to Captain and named the public relations officer for Pacific operations. Tragically, on July 21, 1943, Charles Paddock and William Upshur died in a plane crash near Sitka, Alaska. With Paddock’s death, America lost both a valorous military leader and a legendary track star. At his memorial service, many figures from sports, the press, and the military gathered to honor the “fastest human.”
	Though Charles Paddock’s life was cut short, he continues to serve as an inspiration as both a highly accomplished athlete and a respected and honorable military leader. 








Primary Sources 
"1910 United States Federal Census for Charles W Paddock." AncestryClassroom. Accessed April 7, 2024. https://www.ancestryclassroom.com/imageviewer/collections/7884/images/31111_4327275-00466?pId=190137933.
"1930 United States Federal Census for Charles Paddock." AncestryClassroom. Accessed April 7, 2024. https://www.ancestryclassroom.com/imageviewer/collections/6224/images/4531816_00443?pId=90950720.
"1940 United States Federal Census for Charles Paddock." AncestryClassroom. Accessed April 7, 2024. https://www.ancestryclassroom.com/imageviewer/collections/2442/images/m-t0627-00240-00371?pId=69611192.
"CHARLES W. PADDOCK WEDS: HOLDER OF WORLD'S 100-METER RECORD MARRIES MRS. N.P. MALABY." New York Times (1923-). Dec 12, 1930. https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/charles-w-paddock-weds/docview/98748801/se-2.
"Charlie Paddock, Gen. Upshur Perish in Sitka Plane Crash: Runner Loses Life with West Coast Marine Commander Charlie Paddock Dies in Crash." The Washington Post (1923-1954). Jul 23, 1943. https://www.proquest.com/historical-newspapers/charlie-paddock-gen-upshur-perish-sitka-plane/docview/151636798/se-2.
"Official Military Personnel File for Charles W. Paddock." National Archives and Records Administration. Accessed April 7, 2024. https://catalog.archives.gov/id/57302059?
Paddock, Charles William. The Fastest Human. New York: Thomas Nelson & Sons, 1932. https://books.google.com/books?id=VfYXBAAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q&f=false.
"Pay Tribute to Paddock; Services for Former Track Star Are Held at Pasadena." The New York Times. July 27, 1943. https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1943/07/27/88558352.html?pageNumber=11.
"U.S., World War 1 Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 for Charles William Paddock." AncestryClassroom. Accessed April 7, 2024. https://www.ancestryclassroom.com/imageviewer/collections/6482/images/005240962_02166?pId=29456102.
"US Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1893-1958." Roll 0577. 1943. Page 49012. National Archives and Records Administration. Accessed through "fold3."
"US Marine Corps Muster Rolls, 1893-1958." Roll 0599. 1943. Page 63217. National Archives and Records Administration. Accessed through "fold3."


Secondary Sources
"Charles William Paddock - Facts." AncestryClassroom. Accessed April 7, 2024. https://www.ancestryclassroom.com/family-tree/person/tree/196045603/person/152552975505/fact.
“Charley Paddock: U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame." United States Olympic & Paralympic Museum. October 10, 2019. https://usopm.org/charley-paddock/.
Gleaves, John, and Llewellyn, Matthew. "Charley Paddock and the Changing State of Olympic Amateurism." Olympika: The International Journal of Olympic Studies. Vol 21. 2012. Pp 1-32.
Hart, Brian. "Paddock, Charles William (1900-1943)." Texas State Historical Association, May 1, 1995. https://www.tshaonline.org/handbook/entries/paddock-charles-william.


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