The book, Blind Man’s Bluff, describes the secret USN submarine operations known as “The Projects.” It begins with the opening line, “There was something about Commander Charles R. MacVean that had a
The book, Blind Man’s Bluff, describes the secret USN submarine operations known as “The Projects.” It begins with the opening line, “There was something about Commander Charles R. MacVean that had a way of inspiring legend.” Authors Sontag and Drew narrowed that “something” down to “his sense of humor and humanity.” Even in the toughest of situations, MacVean radiated calm assurance and situational command. His sailors and divers would knowingly follow him past the Gates of Hell, and did more than once. They called him “Captain,” “Skipper,” “Mac,” or simply “Charlie.”
Captain “Charlie” MacVean passed away in the company of family in San Diego, CA, on September 10, 2025, at the age of 88. MacVean joins other stellar American submariners enshrined in history: Bushnell, Holland, Lake, Nimitz, Morton, O’Kane, Butler, and others.
Charles Robert MacVean was born in Paterson, New Jersey. Following graduation from high school in Ridgewood, New Jersey, he attended Dartmouth College as an NROTC student. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree, Summa Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa, majoring in Engineering Physics, and was commissioned in 1959. Ensign MacVean served as Communicator on board the USS FORREST SHERMAN (DD931) prior to attending Cornell University where he received
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