General Charles C. Krulak served honorably in the United States Marine Corps for 35 years and I’m proud to say that he is my US Naval Academy classmate in the great class of 1964.

General Krulak’s military service brought him into wartime combat roles in Viet Nam and operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He is the recipient of many awards including the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Three Bronze Stars, Distinguished Service Medals from each of the three branches of the military (Navy, Army and Air Force), and, among others, two Purple Hearts.

Ultimately General Krulak served as the 31st Commandant of the United States Marine Corps from July1, 1995 until June 30, 1999.

Following his 35-year Marine Corps career, he entered the world of banking as Chief Administrative Officer of MBNA America and then as Senior Vice Chairman of MBNA Europe until his retirement in 2005. He then served as the 13th President of Birmingham-Southern College until his retirement in 2015.

General Krulak has served on the Board of Directors of several corporations and non-for-profit entities.