Navy Federal Credit Union

Charles Larson became and Eagle Scout in 1950 and as an adult is a recipient of the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award from the Boy Scouts of America. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1958, and subsequently returned TWICE to serve terms as the Academy’s Superintendent. He 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 to 1971, he served as Naval Aide to the President of the United States. After retirement, in 2002, after switching parties to become a Democrat, he ran unsuccessfully for Lieutenant Governor of Maryland, on the ticket with Democrat Kathleen Kennedy Townsend. His SEVEN Navy DSMs may be the most ever awarded to any man in history.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Admiral

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Admiral Charles Robert Larson (NSN: 0-624726), United States Navy, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Action Date:

    August 1983 – August 1986

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Third Gold Star in lieu of a Fourth Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Charles Robert Larson (NSN: 0-624726), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commander SECOND Fleet; Commander Striking Fleet Atlantic; and as Commander, Joint Task Force 120 from August 1986 to August 1988. Vice Admiral Larson led his command in a wide ranging exploration of new strategic and tactical concepts. Through his leadership in the execution of Fleet operations and tactical development, he was responsible for the introduction of innovative tactics, which resulted in quantum improvements in the Fleet’s ability to fight and win a war at sea. His innovations in operational training, both in port and at sea, enhanced the focus on fleet combat training. By his unswerving dedication to excellence in preparing his command for the exigencies of combat, Vice Admiral Larson rendered valuable and distinguished service to the nation and North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Vice Admiral Larson’s uncompromising professionalism, experienced judgment, and tenacious devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Vice Admiral

    Action Date:

    September 1988 – February 1990

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Star in lieu of a Fifth Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Vice Admiral Charles Robert Larson (NSN: 0-624726), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Plans, Policy and Operations; as Navy Operations Deputy, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; and as Senior United States Member of the Military Staff Committee of the United Nations from September 1988 to February 1990. Vice Admiral Larson’s many initiatives, broad grasp of national and international political and military issues, and exceptional strategic foresight made a lasting contribution to the Navy and the development of U.S. national security policy and strategy. At a time of extraordinary politico-military activity in a rapidly changing global political environment, he provided wise counsel for developing U.S. Government positions for strategic arms control negotiations, conventional arms control negotiations, and naval arms control matters. Vice Admiral Larson organized and led the U.S. Navy counter-narcotics effort in operations at sea designed to interdict the flow of illicit drugs into the United States. His leadership of the U.S. Navy delegation to the highly successful 1989 Incidents at Sea Conference with the Soviet Navy greatly reduced the probability of tensions at sea between the two navies. Throughout, his clear vision of U.S. national security needs, and the Navy’s role in fulfilling those needs will shape the Navy’s course well into the next century. Vice Admiral Larson’s distinctive accomplishments, unparalleled professionalism, and selfless devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Admiral

    Action Date:

    February 1990 – February 1991

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Silver Star in lieu of a Sixth Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral Charles Robert Larson (NSN: 0-624726), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Fleet from February 1990 to February 1991. Admiral Larson’s unsurpassed professionalism and flawless judgment were directly responsible for dramatic improvements in the readiness and operational performance of the Pacific Fleet. His superior comprehension of the complexities associated with managing a fleet contributed directly to reaching and maintaining unprecedented responsiveness to national security requirements, despite increasing fiscal constraints. Admiral Larson’s superior grasp of international political issues and domestic policy consideration and his vast knowledge of the capabilities of both potential enemy and friendly naval forces were invaluable in expertly guiding the actions of the Pacific Fleet in support of deterrence and world peace. He devised and directed numerous programs which greatly improved the Pacific Maritime strategy and adroitly opened new horizons in the tactical employment of forces in low intensity conflict and regional contingencies. As the Iraqi-Kuwait confrontation intensified, and commitments in support of DESERT SHIELD reduced Fleet assets, he most effectively supported national efforts by balancing assets so as to maintain the flexibility to respond to unexpected, real world requirements. Admiral Larson’s outstanding professional abilities, unsurpassed loyalty, and unflagging dedication to duty reflect great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Division:

    U.S.S. Halibut (SSN-587)

    Action Date:

    1974

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Commander Charles Robert Larson (NSN: 0-624726), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding Officer, U.S.S. HALIBUT (SSN-587) during 1974. The dynamic leadership, superb professional skill, and perceptive judgment exercised by Commander Larson during the conduct of two extremely complex submarine operations were directly responsible for the successful attainment of objectives of extraordinary value to the nation. His direction of the ship in the momentous accomplishments of these operations, conducted under adverse environmental conditions, required employment of the finest degree of personal leadership, determination, and skillful exploitation of highly sophisticated and specialized submarine systems. By his unwavering devotion to duty, Commander Larson rendered valuable and distinguished service; thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Captain

    Division:

    U.S.S. Halibut (SSN-587)

    Action Date:

    1975

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Captain Charles Robert Larson (NSN: 0-624726), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding Officer, U.S.S. HALIBUT (SSN-587) during 1975. The extraordinary degree of success attained during the conduct of this operation was of immeasurable value to the nation. The achievements were a direct result of the close personal involvement, brilliant leadership ability, courage, and superb professional skill displayed by Captain Larson in executing an extremely complex and challenging operation. The finest sense of judgment and command prescience as well as the ability to employ highly sophisticated and specialized submarine systems were demanded at all times. His meticulous planning and thorough preparations for this operation were exacting and included all possible contingencies. By his distinctive accomplishments and unstinting dedication, Captain Larson rendered extremely valuable and distinguished service; thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and upholding the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Navy Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Rear Admiral

    Division:

    U.S. Naval Academy

    Action Date:

    August 1983 – August 1986

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Rear Admiral Charles Robert Larson (NSN: 0-624726), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, from August 1983 to August 1986. Responsible for the Navy’s only undergraduate institution which was also the principal source of career officers for the Naval Service, Rear Admiral Larson guided the Academy to new levels of excellence and mission achievement by producing graduates better prepared morally, mentally, and physically than ever before. As a result of his superlative leadership, extraordinary insight, and boundless personal energy, the Naval Academy experienced a three-year period of innovation and program development, operating with unprecedented efficiency, and established precepts for its future growth in total consonance with the needs of the Service. Rear Admiral Larson’s in-depth knowledge, perceptive judgment, and resolute devotion to duty reflected great credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

  • Defense Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Admiral

    Action Date:

    March 1991 – July 1994

    Under the provisions of Executive Order 11545, July 9, 1970, the Secretary of Defense of the United States of America take pleasure in awarding the Defense Distinguished Service Medal to Admiral Charles Robert Larson (NSN: 0-624726), United States Navy, for exceptionally distinguished service as Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Command, Camp H. M. Smith, Hawaii, from March 1991 to July 1994. Admiral Larson’s leadership, foresight, and knowledge of the many sensitive military and political relationships in the Pacific and Indian Ocean areas advanced United States interests in assuring continuing peace and stability throughout the region. He developed and established a strategy of Cooperative Engagement to enhance military to military contacts with friends, allies, and former adversaries thus ensuring peace, stability and shared prosperity throughout the Pacific region. In a region beset by geographic and climatic disturbances and substantial political and post cold war military tension, Admiral Larson institutionalized a two-tier command relationship streamlining clear lines of command and control. This concept proved its efficacy in a series of timely responses ranging from the fullest possible accounting for Americans missing in Southeast Asia to the prompt relief and assistance to survivors of natural disasters in Guam, Hawaii, Bangladesh, and the Philippines. The distinctive accomplishments of Admiral Larson reflect great credit upon himself, the United States Navy, and the Department of Defense.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Admiral

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Admiral Charles Robert Larson (NSN: 0-624726), United States Navy, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Admiral

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Admiral Charles Robert Larson (NSN: 0-624726), United States Navy, was awarded a Second Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States.