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ADMIRAL FRANK B. KELSO IIUNITED STATES NAVY (RETIRED)
Upon completion of training, he was assigned to the submarine, USS SABALO (SS-302) before returning for nuclear power training in January 1960. He then served one year as an instructor at the enlisted Nuclear Power Department at Submarine School. Subsequent tours included the precommissioning crew of USS POLLACK (SSN-603), Engineering Officer of USS DANIEL WEBSTER (SSBN-626) and Executive Officer of USS SCULPIN (SSN-590). From January 1969 to August 1971, he served as Commanding Officer, U. S. Nuclear Power School in Bainbridge, Maryland. Following tours included Commanding Officer, USS FINBACK (SSN-670); Staff, Commander Submarine Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet, and Commanding Officer USS BLUEFISH (SSN-675). Admiral Kelso was then assigned as Executive Assistant to Commander in Chief, U. S. Atlantic Command and U. S. Atlantic Fleet and Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic from September 1975 to July 1977. He served as Commander, Submarine Squadron SEVEN until reporting as Division Director, Submarine Distribution Division in the Naval Military Personnel Command and Section Head of the Submarine Programs Section in the Office of the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Manpower, Personnel and Training) in September 1978. He was selected for promotion to the rank of rear admiral in February 1980. Upon selection for flag rank, Admiral Kelso served as Director, Strategic Submarine Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and subsequently was assigned as Director, Office of Program Appraisal, Office of the Secretary of the Navy. On February 8, 1985, Admiral Kelso became Commander Sixth Fleet and NATO Commander Naval Striking Force and Support Forces Southern Europe. On 30 June 1986 he was promoted to admiral and assumed duties of Commander in Chief U. S. Atlantic Fleet. Admiral Kelso became Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic and Commander in Chief U. S. Atlantic Command on November 22, 1988. He became the Navy's 24th Chief of Naval Operations on 29 June 1990, serving until retirement on 1 May 1994 Admiral Kelso has been awarded the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (two awards), Army Distinguished Service Medal, Navy Distinguished Service Medal (four awards), Air Force Distinguished Service Medal, Coast Guard Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit (four awards), Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal and numerous foreign awards. Since retirement Admiral Kelso has worked as a consultant and Board Director. He is past Chairman of the Board of the Naval Submarine League. He and Mrs. Kelso are members of First United Methodist Church. They reside in Fayetteville, TN. The Kelso’s have four children: Thomas, an orthopedic surgeon, residing in Springfield Missouri; CAPT Donald Kelso, USN, currently, Commander of Submarine Squadron Eight in Norfolk, VA ; Mary, who is married to Captain William A. Kearns III, USN, currently Destroyer Squadron Commander in Pearl Harbor and Kerry who works and resides in the Norfolk, VA area.. |
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Admiral
Kelso, a native of Fayetteville, Tennessee, attended public school and the
University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, prior to entering the U. S. Naval
Academy in 1952. Following graduation in 1956, he served in the amphibious ship
USS OGLETHORPE (AKA-100) before attending Submarine School in 1958.