[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 122 (Thursday, July 31, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5307-S5308]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 REMEMBERING ADMIRAL CHARLES R. LARSON

 Mr. CARDIN. Madam President, I wish to honor the extraordinary 
life

[[Page S5308]]

and service of ADM Charles R. Larson. Admiral Larson passed away on 
July 26, 2014, in his Annapolis, MD, home. He leaves behind his beloved 
wife of 52 years, Sally, three loving daughters, and seven 
grandchildren.
  Throughout his 40 years of service, Admiral Larson exemplified the 
ideals of a devoted public servant. After he graduated from the U.S. 
Naval Academy in 1958, he served tours of duty aboard the aircraft 
carrier USS Shangri-la as an aviator and he served as a submariner on 
board the nuclear submarines USS Nathan Hale, USS Nathanael Green, and 
USS Bergal. After serving as Special Assistant to the Secretary of the 
Interior and naval aide to the President of the United States, he 
returned to sea duty aboard the USS Sculpin. In 1990 Admiral Larson was 
promoted to the rank of four-star admiral. One year later, he assumed 
duties as commander in chief, U.S. Pacific Command.
  Admiral Larson's career was marked with many notable accomplishments. 
His naval service as both an aviator and a submariner was unique and 
admired. In 1979, at the age of 43, he became the second-youngest 
admiral in the history of the U.S. Navy. Admiral Larson's service is 
also unique in that he served as both the 51st and 55th superintendant 
of the U.S. Naval Academy. Larson's second appointment as 
superintendant, while unusual, was something that the Navy desperately 
needed. Prior to his second tour of duty as superintendant, the Naval 
Academy was rocked by a cheating scandal. Admiral Larson was brought in 
to restore honor and integrity to his alma mater. The task was not an 
easy one, but he accomplished his mission by pursing two goals that he 
outlined when he took the job: ``No. 1: to develop character. No. 2: to 
prove the worth of the service academies to the people of the United 
States''. By the time his second tour as superintendant was over, 
Admiral Larson had succeeded in restoring the Naval Academy's 
reputation as one of America's premier educational and military 
institutions.
  In closing, when I think of ADM Larson, I am reminded of a quote from 
another famous Admiral, ADM Leighton Smith: ``The United States Navy is 
the envy of every other navy in the world. They don't want to be like 
us--they want to be us.''
  I believe this quote is true because of the outstanding devotion and 
competence of those who serve in our Navy. Ships and weapons systems 
are of little value if the service men and women operating them are not 
the very best. Admiral Larson understood this, and his service helped 
the Navy produce other exceptional leaders who have bravely defended 
and immeasurably enriched our Nation. Few could ask for a more 
honorable legacy.
  I believe that Admiral Larson's legacy is one of duty, honor, and a 
sincere devotion to serving and improving the Navy he loved. I ask that 
all Members of the Senate join me in remembering this extraordinary man 
and his admirable years of service to our Nation.

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