Charles Aaron Ray (born 1945) finished his 50-year career of public service in 2012 as the
U.S. Ambassador to Zimbabwe. He is a former
Foreign Service Officer and career member of the
Senior Foreign Service who held the position of U.S. Ambassador twice, and retired with the rank of Minister-Counselor. He is also a retired
U.S. Army officer who was decorated twice for his actions in combat during the Vietnam War, and later served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for POW/Missing Personnel Affairs.