Chad Wilkinson was a beloved son and brother, dedicated husband and proud father of two, a 21-year veteran and a highly decorated and respected Navy SEAL. He enlisted in the Navy in June 1995 with the goal of becoming a Navy SEAL. After boot camp, he attended and graduated from Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training and SEAL Tactical Training to earn the coveted SEAL Trident. In March 1997, Chad reported to SEAL Team 8 in Little Creek, VA. During his time at Team 8, Chad took part in Operations Southern Watch and Desert Fox in the Persian Gulf.
In April 2008, Chad began a rigorous selection and training course with Naval Special Warfare Development Group in Dam Neck, VA. Upon graduation in September 2008, he joined Tactical Development and Evaluation Squadron 2. During the next 10 years, he was an Assault Team Member, a Troop Leading Chief Petty Officer, a Reconnaissance Assistant Team Leader, an Assault Team Leader, and Leading Chief Petty Officer. While attached to a Joint Task Force from the Naval Special Warfare Development Group, Chad completed 8 combat deployments and multiple overseas contingency operations in support of the Global War on Terrorism.
Senior Chief Chad Wilkinson was a highly decorated combat veteran with numerous valorous awards to include the Silver Star with Extraordinary Heroism, Bronze Star with Combat Valor, and 3 Joint Commendation Medals with Combat Valor, each for distinct heroic actions during combat operations worldwide. Additionally, he was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, 3 Joint Service Commendation Medals, Navy and Martine Corps Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, 3 Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, 2 Combat Action Ribbons, 3 Presidential Unit Citations, 2 Joint Meritorious Unit Awards, 3 Afghanistan Campaign Medals, 2 Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medals, and a Global War on Terrorism Medal. He participated in numerous highly classified operations in the Global War on Terrorism, including hostage rescue operations. He is remembered for his commitment to fitness, his courage under fire, and as a SEAL’s SEAL by his teammates. Senior Chief Wilkinson passed away on October 30, 2018 as a result of traumatic brain injuries from his many combat deployments. He was interred with military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on August 19, 2019.
