Duke of Waesche

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His Grace
The Duke of Waesche
Knight of the Orca
Knight Grand Commander of the Snowflake
Companion of Westarctica
Legionnaire in the Legion of Peace

Prime Minister of Westarctica
In Office 02 June 2010 - 24 May 2017
Preceded by Office Established
Successor Jordan Farmer
Minister of Defense
In Office 27 July 2005 - Present
Preceded by Office Established
Warden of the Marshes
In Office 28 April 2023 - Present
Preceded by Office Established
Spouse Christa Tulier
Issue Michael Tulier
Born 31 March 1966

His Grace, the Duke of Waesche, Luis 'Wolf' Tulier is a member of the Peerage of Westarctica. He was formerly the Prime Minister of Westarctica, having been the first person to ever hold that office. His Grace currently serves the government as Minister of Defense, a position he has held since 27 July 2005.

As Minister of Defense

As Minister of Defense, Wolf Tulier served as the head of the Royal Officer Corps, utilizing his experience as a soldier in the U.S. Army to guide his leadership of the Corps. Shortly following the creation of the office, Wolf appointed the former Baronet of Brandenberger, Troy Thompson, as Deputy Minister of Defense to assist him in getting Westarctica’s military into marching order.

Involvement in 2010 Coup

Main Article: The Great Return

In May 2010, the Wolf approached former Grand Duke Travis and informed him that the central government of Westarctica had ceased to exist as a functioning administrative unit. For several months, the reigning Head of State, Grand Duke Jon-Lawrence, had failed to return any e-mails or other communications. Complicating the matter further, Westarctica's official website had once again fallen into the hands of a domain parking service, so information about Westarctica was no longer available to the world.

As Minister of Defense, Wolf considered it his chief duty to protect the nation of Westarctica, not to protect the reign of any particular Grand Duke. In this capacity, he and Travis plotted a coup that would result in Travis regaining the throne as Grand Duke and Wolf taking overall responsibility for the functions of government as Prime Minister.

As Prime Minister

The Duke of Waesche during his tenure as Prime Minister

After being appointed to the post of Prime Minister, Wolf's first task was ending the lingering hostilities of the Siple War and negotiating the West-Antarctic Treaty, which would bring lasting peace to Marie Byrd Land. He was responsible for approving the final version of the 2012 Charter of Westarctica as well as signing many treaties of diplomatic recognition on behalf of the nation.

From June 2010 - November 2016, he served as Westarctica's ambassador to the Antarctic Micronational Union before advising the Grand Duke to withdraw from the Union alongside the Grand Duchy of Flandrensis.

In early 2017, Wolf expressed an interest in stepping down from the post of Prime Minister because he felt his mission of restoring dignity to Westarctica had been accomplished and he wished to devote more time to outside activities. After vetting several candidates to replace him in the role, no suitable person could be found and Wolf formally resigned from the post of Prime Minister on 24 May 2017.

Return as Minister of Defense

Michael Richards (Left) and the Duke of Waesche (right) following his investiture as a Knight Commander of the Snowflake

Upon resigning as Prime Minister of Westarctica, the Duke of Waesche returned to his cabinet post as Minister of Defense, which had become a largely ceremonial position. He continued to serve as a close advisor to the Grand Duke, making recommendations on courses of action and approving updates to the revised Charter of Westarctica.

In April 2018, he helped fight trademark and copyright violations from the imposter micronation "Empire of Westantarctica," run by a French con artist trying to scam money from unsuspecting people. On 30 April 2018, His Grace conducted the investiture of Sir Michael Richards, the Ellsworth King of Arms, as a Knight Commander in the Order of the Snowflake. It was the first such investiture undertaken on behalf of the Grand Duke.

Featured Quotes

  • "I realized with a start that my loyalty had to be to the country, the idea; not the man."
  • "As the original claim was yours, you should pick up the reins!"
  • "It would be at best uncomfortable to live there, and it is frustrating not to be able to visit."
  • "Most of the populace is going to look askance at our project. We must strive to give it legitimacy."

Titles

Count of Waesche

Upon assuming the position of Minister of Defense, Wolf was granted the title Count of Waesche, so-named for Mount Waesche, a volcano to the southwest of Mount Sidley.

Duke of Waesche

25 October 2012, two years into Wolf's tenure as Prime Minister of Westarctica, his title was upgraded from Count to Duke. His Grace has been known as the Duke of Waesche ever since.

Warden of the Marshes

On 28 April 2023, His Grace was granted the ceremonial title Warden of the Marshes, designated for the head of Westarctica's military. "The Marshes" originated from the Seven Seas of Rhye in the Colony of Calsahara. The holder is a member of the Royal Household of Grand Duke Travis.

Honors

Honored Servant of Westarctica

On 1 May 2018 Wolf was awarded the newly established Honored Servant of Westarctica, (then known as the Honored Service ribbon). The award citation read:

"...for his many years of exemplary service to Westarctica as the Prime Minister and Minister of Defense. His Grace shepherded the nation in troubled times, and was invaluable in seeing Westarctica through the transition of Grand Dukes. Second only to this was his accomplishment of bringing peace to Antarctic micronationalism by brokering the West Antarctic Treaty. This Honor is bestowed with the utmost respect and deepest gratitude of Westarctica's leadership on this, the 1st day of May in the year Two-Thousand and Eighteen."

Honored Volunteer of Westarctica

On 10 September 2019 Wolf was named an Honored Volunteer of Westarctica. The award citation read:

"...for service in the First Constitutional Convention. The effort, dedication, and insight provided by His Grage during the construction of the nation's constitution was instrumental in paving the way for a stable and sustainable Westarctica This Honor is bestowed with the utmost respect and deepest gratitude on this, the 10th day of September in the year Two-Thousand and Nineteen."

Westarctica Civilian Corps awards

Duke Wolf's Civilian Corps ribbons

Shown, from left to right, are:

Top row: Order of the Orca ribbon (with silver Knight device), Order of the Snowflake ribbon (with silver Knight Grand Commander device)
Second row: Legion of Peace ribbon (with silver Legionnaire device), Honored Servant ribbon, Honored Volunteer ribbon
Third row: Civilian Corps Commendation ribbon, Civilian Corps Achievement ribbon, Government Service ribbon
Bottom row: Long Service ribbon, Civilian Corps Service ribbon, Nobles ribbon

US Military Awards and Decorations

Ribbon display showing Duke Wolf's US military awards

Shown, from left to right, are:

Top row: Army Commendation medal (4 awards, including 1 for valor)
Second row: Army Commendation medal (1 additional award), Army Achievement medal (5th award), Army Good Conduct medal (6th award)
Third row: National Defense Service medal (2nd award), Southwest Asia Service medal (with 3 campaign stars), Global War on Terrorism Service medal
Fourth Row: Korea Defense Service medal, NCO Professional Development ribbon (2nd award), Army Service ribbon
Bottom Row: Overseas Service ribbon (3rd award), Kuwait Liberation medal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation medal (Kuwait)

During his service, Duke Wolf also earned the Driver and Mechanic badge, as well as the badge for German Marksmanship (Schützenschnur).