Meet Steven
Steven retired from the Navy with the rank of Commander in August of 2023 after 28½ years of active duty and another 10½ in the reserves.
In 2018, after living all over the world, Steven chose West Virginia as his forever home. He looks forward to serving the people of West Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“Nearly 40 years of military service taught me some important lessons. Now, I’m ready to use what I learned to serve West Virginia.”
Steven Wendelin was born in San Mateo, California in 1966. At the age of 18 he enlisted in the Naval Reserve during the Cold War with the former Soviet Union.
Six years later, in 1990, he graduated from the California Maritime Academy with a Bachelor of Science degree and earned his commission as an Ensign in the United States Navy.
Steven’s assignments took him all over the world including:
One combat deployment in Iraq as a telecommunications and information systems officer to the Coalition Provisional Authority
Two combat deployments in Afghanistan where he served as a senior military advisor to both Afghan civilian and military authorities
3 years in Great Britain
2 years aboard the USS CORONADO home ported in San Diego, CA
2 years aboard the USS IWO JIMA home ported in Norfolk, VA
“At sea, I learned the value of teamwork, hard work, and putting others above myself. Living overseas, I learned the true meaning of freedom and how blessed we are. To paraphrase Benjamin Franklin, ‘If we can keep it.’”
“Serving for 22 months in a combat zone taught me what really matters… family, friends, and how precious our freedom is.”
Steven’s military service decorations include:
The Bronze Star Medal
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (two awards)
Joint Service Commendation Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards)
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (three awards)
Various unit and campaign awards.
Between combat and sea service assignments, Steven served as:
Assistant Officer in Charge of Naval Auxiliary Landing Field, San Clemente Island, CA
Research & Development Networks Manager for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency
Training and Education Requirements Officer for the Chief of Naval Personnel on the Chief of Naval Operations staff in Washington, D.C.
Division Deputy Chief for the Xperience Directorate at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency
Deputy Chief Information Officer for Client Services and a Master Instructor of Military Ethics at the United States Naval Academy
Military Head of Operations for the Hopper Information Services Center.
“My military service taught me how to lead people.” “I learned how fragile the peace is with nations that would like to see our democracy fail.”
“I saw how the dedicated professionals of the intelligence community keep us safe in times of peace… and enable our armed forces to be lethal in times of war.”
As Steven’s career progressed, so did his formal education which culminated with:
A Master of Military Studies degree from the Marine Corps University in 2007
A Master of Science degree in Government Information Leadership from the Information Resources Management College at the National Defense University in 2014.
Steven’s final year on active duty saw him return to the United States Naval Academy where he taught Military Ethics and Naval History.
“At the United States Naval Academy I had the honor of educating and mentoring the next generation of great Americans.”
Steven has three adult children. His son serves in the United States Navy. One of his daughters lives overseas with her husband who is also in the Navy. Steven’s youngest daughter is a registered nurse. Steven’s wife, Lila, is a native of Alexandria, Virginia, and has family roots in Wheeling.
In his spare time, Steven has been homesteading at his home in Hardy County where he’s learning the ancient art of blacksmithing. He loves hiking and swing dancing with his wife.
