Caliente (AO 53) - Naval Cruise Book

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Captain PHELPSg,,colorful career began in July 1942 as a Midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy. After graduation in Juneg1945 he spent a month at the U.S. Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida for aviation familiarization prior to reporting to USS BELL as First Lieutenant and Assistant Gunnery Officer. In March 1946 Captain Phelps reported to the USS MYLES C. FOX and served as First Lieutenant, Gunnery Officer and Engineer. World War H in the Pacific ended during the second deployment of the FOX to the Western Pacific. During his tour aboard the FOX Captain Phelps was accepted for Submarine Service. He was transferred in December 1947 and reported for a six month training period, to the U.S. Naval Submarine School, New London. Upon completion of uSub School Captain Phelps served as Electrical Officer and Gunnery Officer in USS CORSAIR. He attended a three month course in Electronics and then reported aboard USS SPIKEFISH in January 1951. While aboard SPIKEFISH he served as Engineer Officer, Operations Officer and Supply and Commissary Officer. Upon departure from SPIKEFISH he returned to the Naval Academy as Instructor of Marine Engineering for a two year period. This tour completed he returned to the submarine service as Engineer Officer, Operations Officer and Executive Officer of USS POMFRET. Two and one half iyearsiaboard POMFRET slipped by and shore duty called. From December 1956 to April 1959 Captain Phelps was assigned to the Staff of Commandant ELE-VENTH Naval District in San Diego, California. In April 15959 he reported to the Submarine Prospective Commanding Officer School in Pearl Harbor for a three month course prior to assuming command of USS, RATON in June. While in command of RATON he completed two deployments to the Western Pacific. August 1961 brought another set of orders. Captain PHELPS reported to the Staff, Royal Canadian Maritime Command, Pacific for assignment as Submarine and Surface Operations Officer. He was the first USN officer to serve in this capacity. Three years later he returned to Hawaii and assumed the billet of ASW Protection of Shipping and Current Operations Officer on the Staff of Commander Anti- Submarine Warfare Force, Pacific. In late March of 1968 Captain Phelps departed CAPTAIN H' E' PHELP3, USN Hawaii and flew the Pacific to meet me COMMANDING QFFICER in Subic Bay, Republic of the 4 APRIL 1968 - Philippines. On 4 April 1968 at PRESENT colorful ceremonies held at sea, he relieved Captain ' Jackson and assumed command.

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LCDR R. K. SHEEHAN, USN EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lieutenant Commander SHEEHAN, a 1945 graduate of the United States Naval Academy, began his career as Fire Control and ASW Officer in USS LEARY QDDR-8791 In July of 1956 he entered Submarine Training at the Submarine School in New London, Connecticut. After graduation in December he reported to USS TORSK QSS-423D for a three year tour. During tour he was assigned as Operations Officer, Navigator, Gunnery Officer, Supply Officer, Engineering Officer, Communications Officer and RPS Custodian. While serving in TORSK he qualified for submarines and made a tour, in the summer of 1958, to Great Lakes during the opening of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Prior to attending the U.S. Navy Post Graduate School at Monterey, California in 1960, LCDR SHEEHAN was assigned as an Instructor at the Fleet Training Center in Norfolk, Virginia. Upon graduation from the Post Graduate School he was awarded a Bachelor, of Science Degree in Operations Analysis. After a one year tour as Communications Officer and Assistant Flotilla Operations Officer with the Staff of Commander Submarine Squadron SEVEN in Hawaii he reported to USS TIRU CSS-4235 as Executive Officer and Navigator. During this tour he graduated from the Prospective Commanding Officer School and qualified for Command of Submarines. In lVlay of 1965, LCDR SHEEHAN began a two year tour as Director of Submarine Tactical Training at the Fleet Submarine Training Facility, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. During this tour he was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal for fire-fighting efforts aboard USNS KULA GULF, which was moored at Ford Island. LCDR SHEEHAN crossed the quarter deck of CALIENTE in September 1967 and assumed the duties as her Executive Officer.