VADM Anthony A. Less, USN (ret.)

V. Adm. Anthony A. Less was born in Salem, Ohio on August 31, 1937. Upon graduating from Heidelberg College in Tiffin, Ohio, he completed the Naval Aviation Officer Candidate Program and was commissioned as Ensign in April 1960. He earned his Naval Aviator’s wings in June 1961.

Subsequent operational and combat tours included five Light Attack squadron assignments, flying primarily A-4 Skyhawk and A-7 Corsair II aircraft. VAMD Less has logged more than 6,200 hours and over 1,000 arrested carrier landings in navy front-line tactical jets. His sea assignments have included command of Attack Squadron TWELVE, Carrier Air Wing NINE, USS Wichita (AOR-1), USS Ranger (CV-61), Carrier Group ONE, Joint Task Force Middle East and Middle East Force, and duty as Chief of Staff to Commander US SEVENTH Fleet.

V. Adm. Less’ shore assignments have included duty as an A-4 Skyhawk weapons instructor, Aviation Assignment Officer, Commanding Officer of the Navy’s Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Squadron, Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval Aide to the Commander-in-Chief, US Pacific Command in Honolulu, HI, Deputy Director for Politico-Military Affairs in the Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate of the Joint Staff in Washington, D.C. Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (OP-06B), and as Acting Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (OP-06). In his last Naval assignment he served 32 months as Commander Naval Air Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. V. Adm. Less retired from active duty on May 1, 1994, after completing 34 years of naval service.

V. Adm. Less is authorized to wear the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (with gold star in lieu of second awards), Defense Superior Service Medal (with Oak Leaf cluster in lieu of second award), Legion of Merit (with gold star in lieu of second award), Air Medal with 10 strike/flight awards, Navy Commendation Medal with Combat “V”, joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation, Navy “E” Ribbon and other campaign awards.

V. Adm. Less is married to the former Leanne Carol Kuhl of Memphis, TN. They have four daughters: Robyn (Mrs. Paul Monger), Pan (Mrs. Chris Maxey), Tracy, and Christy. They also have five granddaughters and one grandson.

From August 17, 1994 until January 19, 1996, V. Adm. Less served as the President of the Association of Naval Aviation — a non-profit professional organization with headquarters in Falls Church, Virginia. On January 22, 1996, he joined Kaman Aerospace Corporation where he now serves in the Washington Office as Vice President Government Programs.