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Bruce Kinsey posted a condolence
Thursday, February 29, 2024
Mel was one of the Good Guys who worked in the pacification program in Vietnam. It is a shame more people never heard about the dedicated pacification officers, civilian and military, who, like Mel, worked to make the South Vietnamese government worth fighting for. They made great progress - most of it without hurting anyone, but time and America's patience finally just wore out.
Please remember Mel, and the other Good Guys of Vietnam.
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Jocelyn D'Ahmed posted a condolence
Thursday, January 25, 2024
Mel was a gentle soul! He was a wonderful, funny, helpful and charming person! I met Mel in Dhaka sometime in the early 1980s and we became friends through tennis and mutual friends. There was one occasion that brings a smile to my face! It was a time when I was returning from the States. I met Mel on the streets of Bangkok, where we both had an overnight stay to catch a flight to Dhaka the next day. We agreed then to get together for dinner at an outside street food vendor that he had recommended. While at the streetside vendor, I had reached over and picked up the hot chili container to move it to the other side of the table. Unbeknownst to me some of the Thai chili remained on the tips of my finger! After I ordered dinner, I inadvertently touched my eye to scratch it and got some chilli in my eye! At first I thought I'd just ignore it and the pain would go away. HA the burning increased, my nose started running and Mel carried on a conversation I had no idea what about!
Finally, I just let out a cry from so pain! I exploded! People around us were staring as I tried to explain myself! Mel didn't understand what I was saying but jumped up, took one look at my red puffy, running eye and called to the waiter in Thai, "Bring water!" We proceeded to flush out my eye till the pain subsided! I was so embarrassed I just wanted to leave! For Mel it was just one of those bumps in the road. I calmed down, our food arrived, we ate the most scrumptious food, drank a beer and left! This event, in hindsight, continues to be hilarious to me and still brings a smile to my face. Mell was a wonderful friend and I was so happy when he met and wed, Anita. She was a perfect partner for him. I am thankful that our paths crossed in this life and hope again in our afterlife! Sincerely, Jocelyn D'Ahmed.
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Curtis Johnson posted a condolence
Friday, December 22, 2023
My beautiful cousin. Your loving calm demeanor, and easy smile. I loved how you loved your Uncle FD (my dad), and how you would sit there and just be amazed at what's going on in our life! You truly cared, and .made me feel like I was special. A man who blazed a path so amazing that it always took me a minute to calm down when you stopped by. I use to think man, if I had hair like that I'd be a star too! I will miss you Cousin for a season, but I will never forget the love I have for you every time I saw you. Hug, Uncle Mel, Barry, David, Mom and Dad, and all our loved ones for me, our next reunion will be at the foot of the throne. ❤️
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James Moran uploaded photo(s)
Friday, December 22, 2023
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This was on our way to the Korean DMZ in 1966, Mel urged all of us to take advantage of our time in Korea by using our free time to visit cultural sites and to meet the Korean people. In the photo Mel is the second far right, I'm the tall guy behind, fourth from right. Mel was such an inspiration and a wise leader, only later did I discover he was 26 years old and I was 22 at that time. He was wise and mature way beyond his age.
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James Moran uploaded photo(s)
Friday, December 22, 2023
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Here is Mel in Korea, 1966. Mel with some kids from the orphanage, he urged U.S. soldiers to visit and volunteer help at the nearby Anyang orphanage.
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James Moran uploaded photo(s)
Friday, December 22, 2023
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Here's my company commander in Anyang, Korea 1966. Mel was commanding officer of the 260th Military Police Company, we were assigned to provide physical security of a special ammunitions site (aka nuclear weapons). For a few month I was company clerk and daily assisted Mel.
-James Moran
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David S. posted a condolence
Thursday, December 21, 2023
Mel Chatman was one of the finest men I’ve known. He was a generous man, loyal to his
friends, a loving husband and father, and a hero to thousands of people he helped over his
many years of service to his country.
I first met Mel during the aftermath of the evacuation from Vietnam, a country where he had a
long history of involvement. He had joined the Army after college in 1964, later serving three
tours in Vietnam as an infantry officer rising to the rank of Captain in less than two years. His
assignments included a year as a company commander with the 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry
Regiment, 199 th Infantry Brigade where he saw heavy combat. His final assignment was to the
Military Assistance Command as an officer with the Office of Civil Operations and Rural
Development Support.
Mel developed an excellent command of Vietnamese, which was a rarity among American
officers serving in combat units, and he was selected to be the interpreter for the first exchange
of US and Communist prisoners in 1967. For his military service he was awarded three Bronze
Stars, and his unit received the Army’s Valorous Unit Award, the Army’s Meritorious Unit
Badge, the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil
Actions Honor Medal.
Mel’s assignment to CORDS led him to a career with the US State Department’s Agency for
International Development, beginning his new profession, appropriately, in Vietnam where he
spent several more years. During the final collapse of the Republic of Vietnam in 1975, Mel was
at Danang, one of the first major cities to fall to invading Communist forces. The horrors of that
period are nearly indescribable, but Mel often found humor in the darkest hours, although he
didn’t always think it funny at the time.
As Danang descended into chaos, with government units losing cohesion and rampaging
through the city, Communist artillery bombarding the area, and Communist infantry and armor
pushing into the city proper, mobs of Vietnamese began to ransack the city and US facilities.
Mel and others did their best to get things under control but it was impossible. At one point,
with everything in a shambles, a woman came running by with a lamp she had snatched. Mel
tried to grab her and failed. Running after her, fed up and frustrated, he kicked her in the butt,
and broke his foot. The woman kept going and Mel was limping painfully for the remainder of
his days in Vietnam.
After I left the Foreign Service, I was only in touch with Mel infrequently, but I later had the
honor to help him file his claims with the Veterans administration for conditions resulting from
his Vietnam service and exposure to Agent Orange. He faced his newest and final challenges
with courage, tenacity and grace, staying active, supporting Anita in running her clinic, and
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completing a monumental project on his own family history and the history of African
Americans in Oklahoma. His completed project and research papers are now with the
Oklahoma Historical Society.
It's a cliché but in this case it is true, and I know of no other way to say it. We are all better for
having known Mel, and he is sorely missed.
David Sciacchitano
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Eric Ellis posted a condolence
Thursday, December 21, 2023
Condolences to the Chatman family. Melvin was my dad’s (Harold Ellis) cousin. I’ve only had the opportunity to meet Melvin a few times throughout my life, but would hear about him via my dad or the Ellis family.
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Peter Downs posted a condolence
Thursday, December 21, 2023
Today you lay to rest my brother and best friend, Mel. A huge part of my being suddenly became empty when he left us. His compassion, devotion, and sheer goodness was shared with me since I first got to know him in Danang, Vietnam in 1971.
Mel spoke beautiful Vietnamese, understood the culture and norms in a way few Americans understood Vietnam. He shared this knowledge so completely that I too grew to understand Vietnam and the complexity of its people and culture. At the last days of the Vietnam war, it was Mel who helped me flee the chaos of Danang. It was Mel’s leadership, calm resolve in the face of uncertainty that brought a modacom of calm to a chaotic situation. Mel organized flotillas of barges in the Danang harbor to assist desperate Vietnamese to leave their home land. I sought comfort from Mel in moving hurriedly to get over forty Vietnamese orphans from Danang to Saigon. Before the final evacuation of Saigon on April 30, 1975, he worked tirelessly to locate Vietnamese and assist in evacuation. His calmness and resolve were extraordinary.
Later at Indian Town Gap, Pennsylvania I visited Mel at an Army base serving as a Vietnamese processing center for the evacuees. His profound understanding of the language and culture brought a deep understanding to the policy makers working on Vietnam. Mel’s deep commitment to Vietnam and its people was a unique gift, and I owe him a deep and abiding gratitude for Mel and his rare inter-cultural talents.
Later in 1978, Mel and I worked together in Malaysia to process Vietnamese refugees who were fleeing the country by boat. Several processing centers were opened along the Malaysian coast to receive and screen the Vietnamese, many of whom were accepted into the U.S. Mel brought a measure of calm and order to a stressful environment in Malaysia. We looked to Mel to bring order to our work. I bonded with Mel completely during the year in Malaysia.
My next encounter with Mel was in Bangladesh in 1979. It was there that Mel met and married Anita. He asked me to serve as Best Man at his marriage ceremony. What a wonderful time we had together. Mel brought the same level of high-energy to the office in Bangladesh. We played tennis together, took field trips to numerous towns, and immersed ourselves in the culture and richness of life in Bangladesh. It was Mel who embraced each new country where we served with zeal.
Mel relied on his same extraordinary positive outlook in facing his health challenges in the later years of his life. He had Anita to sustain him through the difficult times. She stood y his side until the final days.
Now Mel is gone. He is in a better place, but he leaves friends and a brother who will forever remember him with love. If he were here, I would tell him what a positive and endearing impact he had on my life. Farewell my Brother.
Peter g. Downs
San Sai Orchard
Chiangmai, Thailand
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Ross Rainwater posted a condolence
Thursday, December 21, 2023
It was my extreme pleasure a few years back to assist Mel in Chandler, OK with his tribute to an early-day educator there, Lena Sawyer. He had put together a wonderful program which included an extensive computer "slide show," culminating in a Lena Sawner re-enactor who greeted elderly alumni of the Douglass School in a moving and emotional interaction. Mel's efforts were truly remarkable. (I just happened to be at the museum working on a project of my own, met Mel, and was quickly eager to help him. I'll never forget it!)
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Rubina posted a condolence
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
It is with great sadness that we say our final goodbye to our beloved Mel (my brother-in-law). We were truly blessed to have him in our family. He was a gentle, caring and loving human being. His career took him to many countries, where he developed friendships and touched many lives; connections he nurtured throughout his life. Mel and my dearest sister Anita welcomed each and every person into their home and made them a part of their life. Our family, our children and grandchildren, as well as so many relatives and friends all loved to visit their beautiful home. Over the years we shared many precious memories. I feel grateful for these cherished moments which will keep our dear Mel in our hearts forever. I pray that my loving sister and our dear nephew, Farouk, are able to endure the pain of this loss and be inspired by all that Mel accomplished in his life’s work. Our family is incomplete without you; we hold you in our heart. Sleep in eternal bliss dearest Mel in the highest place in heaven. - Rubina
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DON SIMONS posted a condolence
Tuesday, December 19, 2023
It was a honor and pleasure to have known Melvin for some 70 years. We grew up in Ann Arbor, Mi. only a couple blocks from each other. He was our family's news paper boy for several years.
Though a few year older than I , we attended the YMCA overnight camp together as youth. I still have the cherished photos.
We did not connect during his years in college and the military. Roughly, some 25 years ago we reconnected. With out me knowing he did kept in contact with my mother through out the years.
I called and visited him periodically during his last years of health challenges.
I extend my deepest condolences to his wife and the family. He was very compassionate about life , family, and his friends. He will be dearly missed.
Don Simons
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Matthew H posted a condolence
Monday, December 11, 2023
Mel was so good to me as I came alongside him these past five years or so to help him with his Lincoln County, Oklahoma Black history projects. He guided me from zero knowledge of the area and subject to as full an understanding as someone can have who is an outsider to the topics. I'll miss his mentoring and encouragement as I look to extend his legacy and research. I miss you Mel!
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M. Zaman posted a condolence
Saturday, December 9, 2023
Known him for more than 45 years- a through, cordial and loving gentleman. Every time we met or stayed in his place he was more than welcoming and happy to see us. Most memorable is the woderful time we all had during the trip togather on a cruise to Alaska- have vivid memories. He would talk about it all the time we saw him afterwards.
We will miss him a lot. Hats off to Anita for years of dedication and care during the difficult years.
Our sincere condolences.
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Adina Ajmiri posted a condolence
Friday, December 8, 2023
Melvin, we remember and cherish the friendship, care and love you gave us. Your warm welcome and happy smile was genuine and heartwarming.
Your sense of humor was subtle, and when you opened up, you had us laughing out loud with pure enjoyment.
Will miss you, dear gentle soul.
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Mimi Afzal posted a condolence
Friday, December 8, 2023
We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Melvin. Please accept our heartfelt condolences during this difficult time. Losing a loved one is never easy, and our thoughts and prayers are with your family as you navigate this period of grief.
Mel was a loving, caring person, and his presence will be sorely missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. we will always remember the beautiful memories we had together, and those moments will remain etched in our hearts.
May Allah, in His infinite mercy, grant Melvin forgiveness, and may He grant him the highest rank in Jannah. Aameen. Also, give the strength and patience to endure these trying times.
Love to our very dear Baby Apa, Farouk, Ruku, and all of you.
Jumy, Badol, Madol, Murad & Mimi
(Boro Khala's children)
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Koly Yasmin posted a condolence
Thursday, December 7, 2023
I visited his place last year, 2022. I found him, he regularly watching BBC news very concentrately. He couldn't speak, but his eyes speaks up very gently.
A Memorial Tree was planted for Melvin Chatman
Saturday, December 2, 2023
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