COL Henry S. “Skip” Larsen
Colonel Skip Larsen was commissioned in the Field Artillery after graduating from the University of Oklahoma in December 1982. His first assignment was with the 4th ID at Fort Carson, Colorado where he served as a Battery Fire Direction Officer of a COHORT battery from 1983 to 1985. He transferred overseas with the COHORT battery to the 8th ID stationed at Baumholder, West Germany where he served as a Battery Executive Officer, Battalion Fire Direction Officer, and Battalion Motor Officer.
In 1989, COL Larsen was assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Hood, Texas where he served as a Battalion Assistant Operations Officer, Battalion S2, and Bravo Battery Commander. While commanding Bravo Battery, 3-82 FA, he deployed to Southwest Asia for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Upon completion of command, COL Larsen served as a Gunnery Instructor at Fort Sill, Oklahoma from 1992 to 1993.
COL Larsen served as the Chief of Division Plans, G3, 2d Infantry Division at Camp Red Cloud, Republic of Korea from 1995 to 1996. He then served as the Battalion Executive Officer and Brigade S3 for the 17th Field Artillery Brigade at Fort Sill from 1996 to 1998. From 1998 to 2000, COL Larsen served as Chief of Policy and Strategy, J5, United States Southern Command in Miami, Florida.
COL Larsen commanded the 1st Battalion, 37th Field Artillery (M198, Towed), 3d Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2d Infantry Division from 2000 to 2002 at Fort Lewis, Washington, then served as the Stryker Brigades Deputy Commanding Officer until June 2003. From June 2004 to May 2005, COL Larsen served in Kuwait as the executive officer to the Commanding General, 3d Army/ARCENT/CFLCC. In June 2005, COL Larsen assumed command of the 18th Field Artillery Brigade (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. On 7 September 2005, he deployed with the Brigade Headquarters to serve as the Division ECOORD and Force Field Artillery Headquarters for the 101st Airborne Division (AASLT), Task Force Band of Brothers located in MND-N, Iraq where they served until redeploying back to Fort Bragg on 3 September 2006. After changing command in June 2007, COL Larsen assumed duties as the Executive Officer to the Commanding General, FORSCOM.
COL Larsen is a graduate of the Field Artillery Officer Basic and Infantry Officer Advanced Courses along with Airborne, Ranger and Jumpmaster schools. He was awarded Masters in Military Arts and Science from the Command and General Staff College and the School of Advanced Military Studies and a Masters in Strategic Studies from the Air War College.
COL Larsens awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with OLC, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation and Achievement Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with 3 stars, Southwest Asia Service Medal with 3 stars, the Liberation of Kuwait Medals, Global War of Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korea Defense Service Medal, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Award, Army Superior Unit Award, Ranger Tab, Senior Parachutist Badge and Australian Parachutist Badge.