In 1969 upon completion of his internship, Dr. Gosnell volunteered and joined the armed forces and was proud to serve his country as a medical officer with the USMC at the Marine Corps Air Station El Toro in Santa Ana, California. Subsequently, in 1969, he deployed to the Republic of Vietnam for one year. While there he served as Chief Medical Officer for the Marine Wing Headquarters Group of the 1st Marine Air Wing in Da Nang Vietnam and he received the Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, and the Vietnam Service Metal. He received an honorable discharge from the United States Naval Reserve on June 22, 1977 with the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
Tahlequah Proudly honors Dr. Charles R. Gosnell who served as a LT-CDR in the United States Marine Corps/Navy.