17 Facts About Frank Kelso

Frank Benton Kelso II was an admiral of the United States Navy, who served as Chief of Naval Operations from 1990 to 1994.

Frank Kelso attended public school and the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee, prior to entering the United States Naval Academy in 1952.

Frank Kelso then served one year in the Nuclear Power Department at the school.

From January 1969 to August 1971, Frank Kelso served as Commanding Officer, Naval Nuclear Power School in United States Naval Training Center Bainbridge, Port Deposit, Maryland.

Frank Kelso was then assigned as Executive Assistant to the Commander in Chief, United States Atlantic Command and Atlantic Fleet and Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic from September 1975 to July 1977.

Frank Kelso served as Commander, Submarine Squadron 7 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 in September 1978.

Frank Kelso was selected for promotion to the rank of rear admiral in February 1980.

On February 8,1985, Frank Kelso became Commander Sixth Fleet and NATO Commander Naval Striking Force and Support Forces Southern Europe.

On June 30,1986, Frank Kelso was promoted to admiral and assumed the duties of Commander in Chief, United States Atlantic Fleet.

Frank Kelso became Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic and Commander in Chief, United States Atlantic Command on November 22,1988.

Frank Kelso attended the 1991 Tailhook Association meeting in Las Vegas at the urging of his senior aviation advisors to gain first-hand information from aviators who were part of Operation Desert Storm following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.

Shortly before his retirement, Senator Barbara Boxer attempted to punish Frank Kelso by recommending a reduction in rank from full admiral to rear admiral.

Boxer claimed Frank Kelso was deserving of punishment on the grounds that as the Navy's top officer he bore ultimate responsibility for what happened at Tailhook.

Boxer's attempt failed when more Senators agreed Frank Kelso had taken the correct and proper actions in handling the affair, and he was allowed to retire at full rank.

Frank Kelso retired with his wife, Landess McCown Frank Kelso, to his place of birth in Fayetteville, Tennessee in 2003.

Frank Kelso had been married to his second wife, Georgia Robinson, for just two weeks.

Frank Kelso was survived by two sons and two daughters.