Charlie Wilson, Congressman Who Armed Afghan Rebels, Dies at 76

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Former Texas Rep. Charlie Wilson, famous for his support of Afghans guerrillas in their war against the Soviet Union in the 1980s, died Wednesday at the age of 76.

A native of Trinity, Texas, Wilson was a flamboyant Washington figure, known for his wild parties and wild women. He frolicked with Vegas showgirls in hot tubs, and staffed his office with a long string of dubiously qualified young women who came to be known as "Charlie's angels."

His lasting political legacy was equally colorful. In the 1980s, Wilson began a secret operation to funnel billions of dollars to the Afghans opposing Soviet occupation.

He used his position as the head of the House Appropriations Committee to fund anti-tank weapons and other munitions that the Afghans used to outlast the occupiers.

Wilson's involvement only became known much later, and was memorialized in the 2007 film "Charlie Wilson's War," in which he was portrayed by Tom Hanks.

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