Charles E. Violet was born on May 1, 1924, in Des Moines, Iowa. Charles married Eileen on February 10, 1951, and they had five children: Mark, David, Deborah, Jeffery, and Richard.
Violet earned a bachelor of philosophy degree and a bachelor of science degree from the University of Chicago. Then he earned a bachelor of arts degree and a doctor of philosophy degree from the University of California, Berkeley.
Violet is active duty in the United States Air Force from 1943 to 1946.
Violet worked for the University of California Radiation Laboratory (UCRL) as project leader and test director.