Cletus Charles Foote

Eulogy for the Warrior Chief

God, take our dearly beloved Charles into your eternal care, where he may find rest and peace. May his journey be filled with light, honor, and love, surrounded by Mandan-Hidatsa-Arikara Nation’s ancestral great warriors.

Comfort our hearts and grant us the serenity to accept his passing into the spiritual realm where his loving humanity, exceptional bravery, and embrace of a loving and cherished family marked Charles as truly a standout among all men.

Help us to keep his memory alive through our actions and to live in a way that honors their spirit. May we find peace in knowing he is amongst you.

Charles’ former commanding officer, John McKay, says “there are those who go to war, and then there are those who fight those wars.” John says, “Charles was not just one of those who fought well, he was one of those very few who fought ferociously.”

John, who Charles invited to a pow wow during the summer of 2023, is firm in saying Charles was a man of many accomplishments, always a gentleman’s gentleman, but above all else Charles was a true Marine Corps warrior.

Charles possessed a sixth sense about the enemy that was very, very rarely wrong. He was fearless. Without hesitation or reservation Charles would volunteer to ‘walk point’, the most exposed, dangerous position in any combat-infantry formation or operation.

The point man is the man “out in front”, the marine who physically guides and leads an infantry formation, at the same instance. In the jungle, the point man, at the head of an infantry file is both reconnaissance and lead. He’s also the most likely to be the first shot when all hell breaks loose.

Almost equally dangerous, especially in the jungle, is the last Marine in a combat patrol, referred to as “tail end Charlie.” The Marine in that position, the “tail end Charlie,” might be silently captured, silently, surreptitiously murdered, or bear the initial wallop of an all-out enemy attack from the rear. When Charles walked “tail end Charlie” it was not at all unusual for him to discern the unit was being followed by the enemy, even though the enemy might be at 4-500 meters from where the Marines were operating, in the jungle, no less! As John says, “Charles was good, he was very, very good.”

But John further shares with us that Charles was exceptional in so many other, wonderful ways. He was a natural leader of men and women! He was a successful entrepreneur in a country that often presents a challenge to the Native American Nations.

Charles held dear, and emotionally nourished, a delightfully warm family. He was, and is, looked up to by his community.

Above all, Charles was a real, caring, involved, warm human being who demonstrated his humanity through deeds, not words.

A wonderful human being in a world finding itself increasingly missing individuals of the unique qualities and talents of Cletus “Charles” Foote. You will be so sorely missed, dear husband, father, brother, and Mandan-Hidatsa-Arikara warrior.

Published by The Minot Daily News, June 20, 2025.