Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Charles
Chandler
Krulak
1942

–

Born:

Redondo

, 

California

Home:

Exeter

, 

New Hampshire

Charles Krulak graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1964. General Krulak served from July 1, 1995 to June 30, 1999, as the 31st Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Awards Received

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    July 1, 1995 – June 30, 1999

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Charles Chandler Krulak (MCSN: 0-89423), United States Marine Corps, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps from 1 July 1995 to 30 June 1999. His singularly distinctive accomplishments and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service.

  • Air Force Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    July 1, 1995 – June 30, 1999

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Charles Chandler Krulak (MCSN: 0-89423), United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Air Force Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commandant of the Marine Corps from July 1995 to June 1999.

  • Defense Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Colonel

    Action Date:

    September 1987 – June 1989

    The Secretary of Defense of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel Charles Chandler Krulak (MCSN: 0-89423), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States, as Deputy Director, White House Military Office, from September 1987 to June 1989. Colonel Krulak displayed inspirational leadership and unsurpassed managerial acumen as he supervised the operations of the White House Military Office for day-to-day and contingency support of the President. His stewardship has been characterized by unprecedented strides in the positive Presidential command and control of the Armed Forces in national emergencies. Striking among his many contributions in this exceedingly demanding position was the development of an Executive Office of the President Staff Coordinating Group which functions as the primary support body for senior White House decision-makers concerning a variety of classified programs. As Chairman of this group, he oversaw several unheralded initiatives including the first national-level review of an essential element of this nation’s national security strategy. His aggressive sponsorship of actions which he deemed vital to the nation led to the development of several new long term enhancements to this nation’s emergency planning program. His sense of loyalty to the President and to his country and his unshakable commitment to meet the needs of the Commander-in-Chief served as an inspiration to all who served with him. His stalwart leadership, particularly in the face of challenging situations, has resulted in unequalled support to the President. The distinctive accomplishments of Colonel Krulak reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Marine Corps, and the Department of Defense.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    July 1, 1995 – June 30, 1999

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Charles Chandler Krulak (MCSN: 0-89423), United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commandant of the Marine Corps from July 1995 to June 1999.

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Captain

    Batallion:

    3d Battalion

    Regiment:

    3d Marines

    Division:

    3d Marine Division (Rein.), FMF

    Action Date:

    June 3, 1969

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Captain Charles Chandler Krulak (MCSN: 0-89423), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company L, Third Battalion, Third Marines, THIRD Marine Division, during combat operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On 3 June 1969, during Operation VIRGINIA RIDGE, Company L was occupying ambush positions near the Demilitarized Zone west of Con Thien when the Marines came under a heavy volume of mortar fire and sustained several casualties. Although seriously wounded himself, Captain Krulak unhesitatingly left his covered position and, thinking only of the welfare of his men, fearlessly maneuvered across the fire-swept terrain to ensure that his Marines were in effective defensive locations and capable of repelling an expected ground attack. Shortly after the initial mortar attack, the Company was subjected to a second intense mortar barrage. Realizing that the determined enemy soldiers had accurate range on the Marine emplacements, and unwilling to incur additional casualties, he commended maneuvering his men to an alternate location. Simultaneously, undaunted by the fierce barrage, Captain Krulak fearlessly moved to a dangerously exposed vantage point from which he pinpointed the principal sources of hostile fire and skillfully coordinated fixed-wing air strikes and supporting artillery fire on the enemy positions, silencing the fire. By this time, both the platoon commander and a platoon sergeant of one of his platoons had been seriously wounded. After repeatedly exposing himself to the relentless fire to supervise the evacuation of the casualties, he then personally led the platoon back to the main body of his Company across 3,000 meters of rugged mountain terrain to another patrol base and, although weak from loss of blood and the pain of his injuries, steadfastly refused medical evacuation until the arrival of another officer on the following morning. By his courage, dynamic leadership, and inspiring devotion to duty in the face of grave personal danger, Captain Krulak minimized Marine casualties and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

  • Defense Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    July 1, 1995 – June 30, 1999

    Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to General Charles Chandler Krulak, United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service contributing to national security and defense, in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States Commandant of the Marine Corps from July 1995 to June 1999. The distinctive accomplishments of General Krulak reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Marine Corps, and the Department of Defense.

  • Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    General

    Action Date:

    July 1, 1995 – June 30, 1999

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: General Charles Chandler Krulak (MCSN: 0-89423), United States Marine Corps, was awarded the Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commandant of the Marine Corps from July 1995 to June 1999. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Krulak culminate a long and distinguished career in the service of his country and his dedicated contributions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Marine Corps.

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Marine Corps

    Rank:

    Brigadier General

    Action Date:

    December 12, 1990 – April 1, 1991

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Charles Chandler Krulak (MCSN: 0-89423), United States Marine Corps, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commanding General, Direct Support Command and as Commanding General, 2d Force Service Support Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force during operations against the enemy aggressor forces in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait from 12 December 1990 to 1 April 1991. Responsible for providing direct combat service support to those units engaged in Operation DESERT STORM, Brigadier General Krulak organized his forces and created two of the largest combat service support areas in Marine Corps history, Al Kabrit and Al Khanjar. In a matter of days, he turned empty desert into support facilities large enough to support two Marine Divisions in combat. During the attack phase, Brigadier General Krulak’s direct support groups continued to provide logistical support despite the Division’s unprecedented rapid movement North. His “nothing is impossible” attitude and resourcefulness provided the flexibility needed to develop a Force operation plan which took advantage of the enemy weaknesses. Much of the I Marine Expeditionary Force success was directly attributed to Brigadier General Krulak’s ability to make the logistical system work. By his bold leadership, wise judgment, and courageous devotion to duty, Brigadier General Krulak reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.