Charles R. Larson - Military Career

Military Career

A 1958 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, Larson twice served as Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. He also served as Commander in Chief, United States 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 to 1971, he served as Naval Aide to the President of the United States. He reported back to sea duty as executive officer of the nuclear attack submarine USS Sculpin (SSN-590). Then from 1973 to 1976, he served as commanding officer of the nuclear attack submarine USS Halibut (SSN-587). In 1976, Admiral Larson assumed duties as Commander, Submarine Development Group ONE in San Diego, California, in which he headed the Navy's worldwide deep submergence program.

Admiral Larson was promoted to four-star rank in February 1990 upon being 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.