Charlie Wilson (Texas politician)
Charles Nesbitt Wilson (June 1, 1933 – February 10, 2010) was an American politician and naval officer who was a 12-term Democratic Representative from Texas's 2nd congressional district. Wilson is best known for leading Congress into supporting Operation Cyclone, the largest-ever Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) covert operation, which during the Carter and Reagan administrations supplied military equipment to the Afghan Mujahideen during the Soviet–Afghan War. 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 subsequent film Charlie Wilson's War, in which he was portrayed by Tom Hanks.
Charlie Wilson | |
|---|---|
Wilson c. 1995 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 2nd district | |
| In office January 3, 1973 – October 8, 1996 | |
| Preceded by | John Dowdy |
| Succeeded by | Jim Turner |
| Member of the Texas Senate from the 3rd district | |
| In office January 10, 1967 – January 3, 1973 | |
| Preceded by | Martin Dies Jr. |
| Succeeded by | Don Adams |
| Member of the Texas House of Representatives | |
| In office January 8, 1963 – January 10, 1967 | |
| Preceded by | Steve Burgess |
| Succeeded by | David W. Crews |
| Constituency | 6th district |
| In office January 10, 1961 – January 8, 1963 | |
| Preceded by | William Darracott Winston |
| Succeeded by | David W. Crews |
| Constituency | 18th district |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Charles Nesbitt Wilson June 1, 1933 Trinity, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | February 10, 2010 (aged 76) Lufkin, Texas, U.S. |
| Resting place | Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses | Jerry Carter
(m. 1973; div. 1983) Barbara Alberstadt
(m. 1999) |
| Alma mater | United States Naval Academy (BS) |
| Occupation |
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| Military service | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch/service | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1956–1960 |
| Rank | Lieutenant |
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