New York National Guard

« Back to Recent News

NY Army National Guard Col. Robert Charlesworth, a Liverpool resident, receves Legion of Merit

Latham, NY (07/23/2021) — Fort Drum, N.Y. -- Col. Robert Charlesworth, a Liverpool resident and New York Army National Guardsman, received the Legion of Merit medal during a change of command ceremony here, July 17.

Charlesworth received the medal in recognition of his work and dedication throughout his more than 28 years of service, culminating in command of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, headquartered in Syracuse.

The Legion of Merit recognizes outstanding military service throughout a distinguished career.

Charlesworth will officially retire from the Army later this summer, and plans to remain in the Syracuse area where he will serve as Director of Lifecycle Management at SRCTec LLC.

Charlesworth was commissioned in 1992 as an engineer officer after completing the Reserve Officer Training Corp program.

He served as a platoon leader and later company executive officer while assigned to 3rd Brigade, 24th Infantry Division. Charlesworth served as a staff officer and company commander in the 25th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, followed by an assignment as an observer controller/trainer at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La.

In 2001 Charlesworth left active duty and joined the Vermont Army National Guard. He served as the brigade operations officer for the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and later as the commander of 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry Regiment.

Since 2011, Charlesworth has served in various staff positions on active duty for the Army National Guard. His assignments include executive officer to the deputy director of operations for the Department of the Army, and deputy assistant to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff for National Guard and Reserve Matters.

In 2019 Charlesworth joined the New York Army National Guard and assumed command of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

Charlesworth is a graduate of the Engineer Basic and Infantry Advance Courses, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, the Army Command and General Staff College, and the National War College.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, and Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Force Reserve Medal, Combat Infantryman's Badge, Sapper Tab and Ranger Tab.

Charlesworth holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Manufacturing Engineering from Boston University and a Master's Degree in Project Management from George Washington University.

He is married to the former Elizabeth A. Scherr of Jericho, VT. They have three children, sons Myles and Martin, and daughter Morgan.

Media Attachments

New York Army National Guard Col. Robert Charlesworth, former commander of the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, receives the Legion of Merit medal from Maj. Gen. Thomas Spencer, commander of the 42nd Infantry Division during a change of command ceremony at Fort Drum, New York on July 17. Charlesworth served as the 27th IBCT commander since 2019, and is retiring after more than 28 years of service to the Army and Army National Guard. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Maj. Avery Schneider)

RC
Robert
C.
Copyright © 2026 Merit Pages, Inc. • All Rights Reserved. • Terms of Service • Privacy Policy • Opt Out