Charles Graner - Birth and Early Life

Birth and Early Life

Graner went to Baldwin High School in Baldwin, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Pittsburgh. He was a member of the student council, student council executive board, drama club and math league.

John Castaneda, a family friend for 30 years, was quoted as saying "I feel so bad. He was a real good guy. I have nothing but good things to say about Chuck. Never once did Chuck give anyone a problem. It was always 'Yes, sir' or 'No, sir.' He wouldn't even call my wife and me by our first names. It was always 'Mr.' and 'Mrs.'"

After graduating in 1986, Graner attended the University of Pittsburgh for two years before dropping out to join the Marine Corps Reserve in April 1988. He had the Marine Corps emblem and the letters "USMC" tattooed on his upper right biceps.

On June 15, 1990, Graner married Staci M. Dean, a 19-year-old from Ohiopyle, Pennsylvania. The marriage took place in Farmington, Pennsylvania after she became pregnant with the first of their two children. On the marriage license application, Graner listed his occupation as "construction worker."

Trained as a military policeman, he served in the Persian Gulf War in 1991. He was in the Marines until May 1996, when he left with the rank of lance corporal.

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