Each year, the Chattanooga Bar Association honors an outstanding citizen in the Chattanooga area with the Liberty Bell Award for public service.
The purpose of the Liberty Bell Award is to recognize community service that has strengthened the American system of freedom under law. In selecting the recipient of this award, the Chattanooga Bar Association considers such service as including activities which (1) promotes better understanding of our Constitution and the Bill of Rights; (2) encourage a greater respect for the law and the courts; (3) stimulates a deeper sense of individual responsibility so that citizens recognize their duties as well as their rights; (4) contribute to the effective functioning of our institutions of government; and (5) foster a better understanding and appreciation of the rule of law. This prestigious award, presented annually by the Chattanooga Bar Association, is selected from nominations received by the awards committee.
Brigadier General Carl Levi’s career includes 53 years of public service to Chattanooga and Hamilton County government, 35 years of service in the United States Army and Tennessee National Guard and over seven decades of civic service and volunteer leadership, dedicated to the betterment of others. Carl Levi has always been enthusiastic in his delight and love for Chattanooga and its people and his commitment to patriotic service and the rule of law.
Carl Levi grew up in East Lake and graduated from Chattanooga High School, Class of 1949, the University of Chattanooga, Class of 1956 and the University of Wisconsin School of Finance, Class of 1975. Carl is a member of the Chattanooga High School ‘Hall of Fame,’ was vice-president of the Lambda Chi Alpha Fraternity at UC, president of his class at UC, Pledge Class president, Inter-Fraternity treasurer and chairman of the School Election Committee.
He spent 53 years in local government – including 17 years as assistant treasurer and 25 years as the treasurer for the City of Chattanooga and 8 years as the Hamilton County Trustee. Levi likes to remind folks that Mayor Olgiati gave him a six weeks job when he came home from the military and planned to enroll at UC and that he retired 45 years later! Levi is a Certified Public Financial administrator.
General Levi began his military career as a private and retired as a Brigidier General. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1952, served during the Korean Conflict era, was commissioned as a 2nd Lt., Artillery in 1955 and held multiple command positions during his career at the Battery, Battalion and Brigade level. He is a graduate of the Field Artillery Basic and Advance School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, an Honor Graduate of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, the U. S. Armed Forces Staff College, the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, the Pentagon’s Inspector General School and the NATO Defense School, Rome, Italy.
In honor of his leadership and service, the National Guard Armory in Chattanooga was named Brigadier General Carl E. Levi National Guard Armory Training Center. Levi was the driving force behind the Armed Forces Pavilion at the Chattanooga National Cemetery and raised the total funds for its construction and dedication.
General Levi has served the American Legion for seven decades and he is recognized locally, regionally and nationally as one of the key contributors to the American Legion’s success. From his leadership as Post Commander at American Legion Post # 14 to his decades of service as Tennessee State Commander, National Executive Committee of the American Legion to the American Legion’s National Finance Commission, Carl Levi has helped direct the financial arm of the American Legion, securing the organization viability for its millions of members. At 92, he serves currently as Vice Chairman Emeritus and attends the national meetings.
Many people do not know that Carl Levi is a talented musician who originally considered a career as a music director. He had a band for over 40 years and played with such stars as Chet Atkins, Faron Young and Chattanooga’s own Jim Wilson.
Previous honors and recognitions include:
Tennessee National Guard Minute Man Award
President of the Municipal Treasurers Association, United States and Canada
1988 Treasurer of the Year, United States and Canada
East Tennessee Trustee of the Year, 2005 and 2006
Outstanding Tennessee Trustee, 2006
President of the Tennessee County Trustees Association
Mr. Levi is an engaged member of Brainerd Presbyterian Church and is a member of the Half-Century Club, the East Lake Lodge # 268 F&AM, Scottish Rite Mason and Alhambra Shriners.
Mr. hosts ‘The General’s Table’ each Friday at Wally’s on McCallie Avenue where he brings together veterans for a time of fellowship and remembrance, aiding in their social and mental wellbeing after military service and combat experiences. He has spent his life caring for and service the citizens and veterans in his wide-reaching community.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Jernigan Livi and his parents, the late Deputy Fire Chief Carl A. Levi and Erma Smartt Levi. He is the father of one daughter, Kelly Carlyn Levi Swartz and is proud of his four grandchildren and great-grandson.