Charles R. Larson

Admiral, U.S. Navy

Charles R. Larson was born on 20 November 1936 in Sioux Falls, SD. A 1958 graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Larson twice served as Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD. He also served as Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Command (CINCPAC). His classmates at the Academy included future U.S. Senator John McCain and Vice Admiral John Poindexter.

Admiral Larson was the first naval officer selected as a White House Fellow and served his fellowship in 1968 as Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Interior. From 1969-71, he served as Naval Aide to the President of the U.S. He reported back to sea duty as Executive Officer of the nuclear attack submarine USS Sculpin. Then from 1973-76, he served as Commanding Officer of the nuclear attack submarine USS Halibut. In 1976, Admiral Larson assumed duties as Commander, Submarine Development Group ONE in San Diego, CA, in which he headed the Navy's worldwide deep submergence program.

On 1 March 1990, Larson was promoted to the four-star rank of Admiral and assigned as Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet-the Navy component commander in the Pacific theater. After one year in this position, Admiral Larson was nominated by the President and assumed duties as Commander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Command.

He retired from the Navy in 1998.

Medals and Awards

Defense Distinguished Service Medal
Navy Distinguished Service Medal (7 awards)
Legion of Merit (3 Awards)
Bronze Star Medal
Navy Commendation Medal
Navy Achievement Medal

He has also received medals and awards from the governments of Japan, Thailand, France and Korea.

In Retirement

Larson is a founder, director and chairman of the board for ViaGlobal Group. As of 2002[update], he also serves on the Northrop Grumman Corporation's Board of Directors and the Board of Esterline Corporation. He also served on three corporate boards in the fields of electrical power generation and distribution, oil exploration and production and international service and construction.

In 2002, after switching parties to become a Democrat, Larson ran unsuccessfully for Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, on the ticket with Democrat Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. He and his wife, Sally, reside in Annapolis.

Larson became an Eagle Scout in 1950 and as an adult is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America.

His public service boards include 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 and as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation.

Civilian Awards

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

VFW National Armed Forces Award (1998)

Navy League's Annual Leadership Award (1998)

"All American Citizen" by the city of Omaha, NE

Omaha North High School Hall of Fame

The U.S. Naval Academy Alumni Association's Distinguished Graduate Award