Captain Francis L. Carelli, USN
Captain Francis L. Carelli was born in Worcester, Massachusetts on September 15, 1929. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from the College of the Holy Cross in June 1950.
Enlisting in the U.S. Navy in December 1950, he served in USS SALAMONIE(AO-26) until September 1952 at which time he was ordered to Officer Candidate School, Newport, R.I. Upon graduation, in March 1953, he was commissioned an Ensign and reported as Communications Officer, USS CHEMUNG(AO-30). Following this tour, he served as Operations Officer then Executive Officer, USS AREQUIPA (AF-31) and Assistant Traffic Officer, Naval Communications Station, Pearl Harbor.
In August 1957, he reported to the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California for postgraduate study in Meteorology and Oceanography. Graduating in June 1959,he served successively as Staff Meteorologist for Commander Amphibious Group ONE, until October 1961, and Operations Officer, USS JOHN A. BOLE (DD-755) until July 1963.
Returning to Newport, R.I. in August 1963, Captain Carelli next attended the U.S, Naval War College. Following graduation, he reported for duty as Commanding Officer, USS SKILL (MSG-471). While serving in that capacity, until September 1966, SKILL received the Navy Unit Commendation for its participation in the successful recovery of a lost hydrogen bomb off Palomarer, Spain. Next he served as Executive Officer USS HARRY E. YARNELL (DLG-17) and followed this with duty in the Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Washington, D.C.
In January 1970, he wan ordered to duty as prospective Commanding Officer, USS BLAKELY (DE-1072) under construction at Avondale Shipyards, Inc., New Orleans, Louiriana. In July 1970, he commissioned BLAKELY and remained as her first Commanding Officer until April 1972. Reporting to Washington, he became Director, Command Support Division, Anti-Submarine Systems Project Office untilJuly 1973, followed by a one year course of instruction at the National War College, graduating in June 1974. Captain Carelli assumed command of USS BIDDLE (DLG-34) on 5 August 1974.
Captain Carelli is married to the former Margaret Mary Krumsiek of Worcester, Massachusetts. They have two children, Janet Marie and Joanne Frances and currently reside in Springfield, Virginia.
