Charlie Rangel was born on June 11, 1930, in New York City, New York. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on September 15, 1948, and attended Basic Training with Company D, 364th Infantry Regiment of the 9th Infantry Division at Fort Dix, New Jersey, from September to November 1948. His first assignment was with Headquarters Battery of the 503rd Artillery Battalion at Fort Lewis, Washington, from December 1948 to May 1949, followed by Armed Forces Information School at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania, from May to July 1949. PFC Rangel then returned to Headquarters Battery of the 503rd Field Artillery Battalion at Fort Lewis from July 1949 until he deployed with his unit as part of the 2nd Infantry Division to Korea in August 1950. Sgt Rangel served in combat in Korea with the 503rd Field Artillery Battalion from August 1950 to July 1951, and he then returned to the United States in August 1951. He was briefly assigned to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, from August to September 1951, and then served with Headquarters Battery of the 548th Field Artillery Battalion at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, from October 1951 until he was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army on June 18, 1952. After leaving active duty, Rangel graduated with a bachelor's degree from the New York University School of Commerce in 1957, and with a law degree from the St. John's University School of Law in 1960. He served as a Member of the New York State Assembly from the 72nd District from January 1, 1967, to December 31, 1970, and was a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from January 3, 1971, until his retirement on January 3, 2017.

His Bronze Star Medal for Valor Citation reads:

Distinguished himself by heroic achievement on 30 November 1950 near Changye-ri, Korea. On that date he was riding in a convoy which was attempting to break through an enemy roadblock. Although he had been wounded by enemy fire, he repeatedly assisted in removing the wounded from the road and placing them on the vehicles. When the order was given to abandon the vehicles and seek cover in the hills, Corporal Rangel organized the men in his vicinity and led them over the mountainous terrain and through enemy lines to safety. The heroic actions of Corporal Rangel reflect great credit upon himself and the military service. Entered the military service from New York.