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Larry Wilske
Larry Wilske, 2014
Republican Party candidate for Congress from California's 53rd congressional district
Election date November 2, 2010
Opponent	Bob Filner (D)
Incumbent	Bob Filner
Personal details
Born	July 2, 1967 Hammond, Indiana
Nationality	American
Political party	Republican
Residence	San Diego, California
Alma mater	San Diego State University
Awards	Silver Star Purple Heart
Website	http://www.larrywilske.com/
Nickname	Gunny Pop
Military service
Allegiance	United States
Branch/service	United States Marine Corps
Years of service	1983–2013
Rank	Gunnery Sergeant
Unit	1st Tank Battalion
Battles/wars	Gulf War Iraq War 2003 invasion Battle of Baghdad First Battle of Fallujah

Larry Wilske (born MDY) has dedicated 30 years of service to the United States as a Navy SEAL. After retiring from the military, Larry has chosen to continue his path of service as a Congressional candidate for California’s 53rd district.

Military Career

Larry enlisted in the Navy in 1983 and competed on the All-Navy Wrestling Team for two years. Driven by a strong sense of patriotism, he tried out for the Navy SEAL teams, one of the most renowned elements of the U.S. special operations community. After successfully graduating from BUD/S class 139, he was stationed at Seal Delivery Vehicle (SDV) Team One in 1986.

Larry transferred to SEAL Team 3 in early 1996 after his promotion to Chief Petty Officer. He was awarded his first Joint Services Commendation Medal for actions while assigned to the Joint Commissioned Observer Mission in Bosnia, and received a second Joint Services Commendation Medal for Operation Desert Thunder in Kuwait. His next mission as Naval Special Warfare Task Unit Chief included operations in East Timor and dozens of maritime interdiction operations in the Northern Arabian Gulf. Larry was awarded the Navy and Marine Commendation Medal for that tour of duty.

Larry had just returned home on September 6, 2001 and was sitting at home when he witnessed the tragic events of 9/11. He deployed to Southern Afghanistan three weeks later with the famed Task Force Ka-Bar, serving as Operations Chief and Naval Special Operations Component Leading Chief Petty Officer. Larry received his third Joint Services Commendation Medal for actions during this tour.

In 2002, Larry received orders to the newly commissioned SEAL Team 7 as their first Task Unit Leading Chief and was immediately promoted to Senior Chief Petty Officer. He deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom – Philippines and Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004, conducting dozens of direct action missions. On a subsequent deployment to the Al Anbar Province, Iraq with Special Operations Task Force West, Larry oversaw hundreds of SEAL missions and personally conducted dozens of others. He was promoted to Master Chief although this was his second tour as ‘acting’ Master Chief Petty Officer. He received the Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” (Valor) for actions during that tour.

Upon re-deployment Larry was assigned as the SEAL Team 7 Command Master Chief. He returned to Iraq in 2009 as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for Special Operations Task Force West. Larry oversaw hundreds of SEAL missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Philippines and participated in dozens more. He also executed the plan to replace 35,000 Marines along the Euphrates River Valley with special operations forces and trained Iraqi SWAT police officers, providing continued stability in the region while freeing up our Marines to join the fight in Afghanistan. Larry received his second Bronze Star Medal during that deployment.

After returning home from his final combat tour as a Command Master Chief, Larry continued service to Naval Special Warfare as the Command Master Chief for the SEALs Logistics Support Command. He led over 500 personnel supporting the west coast SEAL Teams and subsequently received the Meritorious Service Medal for leadership. During that tour, Larry wrote his first book, Leadership: from the Middle to the Top, based on the leadership development training he conducted with chiefs and officers of the command.

For his final tour of duty, Larry was chosen to be the first SEAL Master Chief to be stationed at the U.S. Naval War College and teach at the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy. He wrote and introduced lectures on Ethos and the Elements of National Power, both of which remain part of the curriculum today.

Larry retired after 30 years of dedicated service to his country on July 4, 2013 and subsequently moved back to his home of San Diego. He and his wife Therese live in Midtown and are the proud parents of four daughters and two grandchildren.

Awards

Larry is the proud recipient of numerous awards and commendations for his service, including:

• Air Warfare Insignia
• Bronze Star Medal with Combat “V” Valor (two awards)
• Combat Action Ribbon (two theaters)
• Joint Achievement Medal
• Joint Meritorious Unit Award
• Joint Services Commendation Medal (three awards)
• Meritorious Service Medal (two awards)
• Meritorious Unit Commendation
• Navy Achievement Medal
• Navy Commendation Medal (three awards)
• Presidential Unit Citation
• SEAL Warfare Insignia
• Surface Warfare Insignia

Author

Leadership: from the Middle to the Top

Political Career

With the re-drawing of the Congressional districts, the 53rd now represents a snapshot of Larry’s life growing up in San Diego. As an active community leader, Larry has supported local organizations including the Warrior Foundation-Freedom Station, Bonita Optimist Club and San Diego Wrestling Association. He has coached wrestling teams throughout San Diego County and is proud to have his athletic achievements recognized at the San Diego Hall of Champions in Balboa Park. His life experiences as a leader, teacher and problem solver on a global scale uniquely qualify him to be a trusted representative for the people of San Diego, and a voice for citizens nationwide. As proven by his ethos of America First, Larry truly believes in a transparent government that works for “We the People.”