Charles Nesbitt "Charlie" Wilson

Wilson's Afghan work ran through the House Appropriations defense subcommittee, and the money rose in steps. Wikipedia, drawing on George Crile's book, says he had the Afghan appropriation doubled in 1980, won another $40 million in 1983, $17 million of it for anti-aircraft weapons, and, at CIA officer Gust Avrakotos's request, $50 million more in 1984, later redirecting $300 million of unused Pentagon funds. It notes the controversy that most of the aid reached Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, who has been accused of serious war crimes.

What the plaque says

Charles Nesbitt "Charlie" Wilson Born in Trinity on June 1, 1933, Charles Nesbitt "Charlie" Wilson served as a United States naval officer, a state legislator and a United States Representative from Texas' Second Congressional District. Growing up, Wilson attended Trinity public schools. Upon graduation from Trinity High School in 1951, he spent one semester at Sam Houston State University before being appointed to the United States Naval Academy, earning a B.S. degree in engineering. Wilson served in the Navy from 1956 to 1960, earning the rank of lieutenant and gunnery officer on navy destroyer USS John W. Weeks. He was assigned to the Pentagon as part of an intelligence unit evaluating the Soviet Union's nuclear forces. After volunteering for John F. Kennedy's 1960 presidential campaign, Wilson pursued a career in politics. He won his home district in 1961, becoming a state representative and later a state senator. In 1973, Wilson was elected to the United States House of Representative and secured reelection 11 times. Wilson is perhaps best known for leading Congress in supporting Operation Cyclone, the largest Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) covert operation, which under the Carter and Reagan administrations supplied military equipment, including anti-aircraft weapons and paramilitary officers, from their Special Activities Division to the Afghan Mujahadeen during the Soviet-Afghan War. On domestic issues, Wilson continuously championed for individuals' rights, especially minorities and women. He also tirelessly sought to increase Medicare and Medicaid funding for the elderly and underprivileged. In 1974, Wilson and Bob Eckhardt proposed a bill in Congress making the Big Thicket a national preserve. Wilson retired from Congress in October 1996, but became a lobbyist for Pakistan. He died on February 10, 2010, and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. (2017)

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Trinity Volunteer Fire Department — steps away
• First United Methodist Church of Trinity — steps away
• Waco, Beaumont, Trinity & Sabine Railroad — steps away
• Cedar Grove Cemetery — 0.4 mi