[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 8]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 11182]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 ADMIRAL FRANK KELSO II RECEIVES DISTINGUISHED GRADUATE HONOR AT NAVAL 
                                ACADEMY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. LINCOLN DAVIS

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 3, 2008

  Mr. LINCOLN DAVIS of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, watching over the air 
and sea while providing exemplary support for our land based services, 
the United States Navy has a service record that history has looked 
favorably upon from the Revolutionary War through the Battle of Midway 
to their present day services around the globe.
  One alumni of this cherished brotherhood, Admiral Frank Kelso II, a 
man who dedicated his life to service of his country, was recently 
bestowed with the 2008 Distinguished Graduate Award during the U.S. 
Naval Academy Alumni Association's annual ceremonies in Annapolis, 
Maryland.
  With a Naval career as long as it is distinguished, Admiral Kelso, 
born in Lincoln County, Tennessee, steadily rose through the ranks 
following his graduation from the Naval Academy in 1956.
  Serving various tours on Balao, Skipjack, Permit, and LaFayette class 
submarines and attending the Navy's Submarine School, Admiral Kelso was 
promoted to Commanding Officer of the Naval Nuclear Power School, USS 
Finback and USS Bluefish.
  In subsequent tours, the Admiral served as Executive Assistant to the 
Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Command and the U.S. Atlantic Fleet 
and Supreme Allied Commander, Atlantic. He was then assigned to 
reestablish and command Submarine Squadron Seven.
  In 1980 he was selected as Rear Admiral, where his Pentagon 
assignments included Director, Strategic Submarine Division, Office of 
the Chief of Naval Operations, and Director, Office of Program 
Appraisal, Office of the Secretary of the Navy.
  By 1985 Admiral Kelso was commanding the Sixth Fleet in the 
Mediterranean Sea and NATO Naval Striking Force and Support Forces 
Southern Europe. During this time the Admiral led successful operations 
against Libya.
  Earning his fourth star, Kelso was promoted to Admiral in 1986, 
shortly before assuming the duties of Commander, U.S. Atlantic Fleet. 
Admiral Kelso later became NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic and 
Commander in Chief, U.S. Atlantic Command.
  Admiral Kelso's naval career reached its high point when he was named 
the 24th Chief of Naval Operations in 1990, making him the first 
Tennessean to hold that position. He served as CNO for nearly four 
years.
  Beyond serving in a high ranking military position in the U.S. 
government and the numerous medals he has earned, Admiral Kelso has 
remained humble and grounded--saying his greatest accomplishments are 
his children and grandchildren. As a father of three and grandfather to 
five, I can say family is the driving force in life and is to be 
cherished as described by the Admiral.
  We are proud to have Admiral and Mrs. Kelso as native residents of 
the 4th District and wish them the best.

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