T. Charles Bookwalter grew up in Vermillion County, Indiana, Graduating from Indiana University, Bloomington with a Bachelor of Science degree in Legal studies and a minor in Political Science.

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After 9/11 Charles answered George W. Bush’s call and enlisted in the U.S. Army Special Forces serving as a Special Forces Senior Medical Sergeant. He completed two combat tours earning multiple awards including the Bronze Star for service in combat. He remained on active duty until 2012.