Spirit Lake Native Retires From U.S. Navy After 39 Years of Honorable Service – KWBG Radio

MAYPORT, Florida—Navy Capt. Wyatt Chidester, a Spirit Lake High School graduate and Spirit Lake, Iowa, native with hometown ties to Boone, Iowa, walked ashore for the final time during a retirement ceremony held on October 5 hosted by U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet (USNAVSO/FOURTHFLT) located onboard Naval Station Mayport, Florida. He celebrated his 39-year career with friends, family and fellow service members.

Capt. Wyatt Chidester, left, requests permission to go ashore for the final time from Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet, Rear Adm. Sean Buck, right, as the last act as an active duty service member in the U.S. Navy.

Chidester enlisted in the Navy in July 1979 as an operations specialist. After serving as an enlisted sailor for 12 years and achieving the rank of chief petty officer, he commissioned as a limited duty officer (LDO) ensign in October 1991 and converted to an unrestricted line officer in 1996.

USNAVSO/FOURTHFLT employs maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations in order to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships to foster regional security in the U.S. Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM) Area of Responsibility.