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Charles Robert Larson
November 20, 1936
July 26,2014

Admiral Charles R. Larson, U.S. Navy (Ret.) Admiral Larson had a distinguished 40 year Navy career which included nearly 20 years as a Flag Officer and 19 years in command positions, including experience across the spectrum of military, leadership, management, education, political military affairs and government policy. His senior command position was Commander-in-Chief of all United States military forces in the Pacific where he was responsible for the readiness and employment of 350.000 personnel in a theater that encompassed more than half the globe. In this position he reported to the Secretary of Defense and the President with responsibility for collective defense arrangements and coordination with the 44 countries in the Pacific theater.

As a junior officer, Admiral Larson served as a naval aviator in an aircraft carrier-based squadron and later as a nuclear submariner. As a submarine officer, he served on two ballistic missile submarines and three attack submarines, including command of the nuclear attack submarine USS Halibut (SSN 587).

His other sea commands include Submarine Development Group, which included the Navy's worldwide deep submergence program; Submarine Group Eight, which included command of all United States and NATO submarines m the Mediterranean Sea and all United States anti-submarine warfare forces in that area; Commander Second Fleet, including all operational ships in the Atlantic; Commander NATO Striking Fleet Atlantic; and Commander-in-Chief, US Pacific Fleet, with all Navy and Marine Corps forces in the Pacific.

In command ashore, Admiral Larson served an unprecedented two tours as Superintendent, US Naval Academy, the first from 1983-1986 and the second from 1994-1998. He also was the first naval officer selected as a White House Fellow, serving in 1968 as Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Interior. Following his fellowship, he was assigned to the White House where he served for 2 1/2 years as Naval Aide to the President of the United States

 Admiral Larson retired in 1998 after serving as an admiral for four Presidents. Since retirement, he has served on corporate boards in the areas of defense, aerospace, oil exploration and production, international service and construction and the electric industry. His public service boards have included the National Academy of Sciences Committee on International Security and Arms Control, The White House Fellows Foundation, The Board of Regents of the University System of Maryland, The Board of Trustees of the Anne Arundel Health System, Board of Directors of the Atlantic Council, The Council on Higher Education Accreditation and as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the US Naval Academy Foundation.

His major military decorations include:

·         The Defense Distinguished Service Medal,

·         Seven awards of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal,

·         Three awards of the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star Medal.

·         In addition, he has received decorations from the governments of Japan, Korea, Thailand and France.

His civilian awards include:

·         Paul Harris Fellow (Rotary International's highest award for public service)

·         VFW National Armed Forces Award (1993)

·         Navy League's Admiral Arleigh Burke Leadership Award (1999)

·         Distinguished Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America's highest award)

·         Nebraska land Foundation (State of Nebraska) Wagonmaster Award for Leadership (1997)

·         "All American Citizen" by the city of Omaha, Nebraska Omaha North High School Hall of Fame (1985)

·         The United States Naval Academy Alumni Association's Distinguished Graduate Award (2006)

He and his wife Sally have been married over 52 years and they have three grown daughters and seven grandchildren.  

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