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Adapted from "Captain Felix Caracciolo, U. S. Navy" [biography, dated 16 October 1962] in Modern Biographical Files collection, Navy Department Library.

Topic
  • Maintenance-Repairs
  • Ship Construction & Design
Document Type
  • Biography
Wars & Conflicts
  • World War II 1939-1945
File Formats
Location of Archival Materials
  • NHHC-Library

Felix Caracciolo

3 March 1915-[no death date]

PDF Version [114KB]

Felix Caracciolo was born in Gesualdo, Province of Avellino, Italy, on March 3, 1915, son of Pasquale and Emilia Giovanniello Caracciolo. He came to the United States in 1927, and lived in Weymouth, Massachusetts until 1935, when he entered Yale University, New haven, Connecticut. He was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Engineering in 1939, and subsequently was connected with the Sivyer Steel Casting Company (1 ½ Alloy Steel Foundry) of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. There he was an apprentice in the Production Department, and when made Production Engineer had charge of Stainless Division.

He completed officers training in the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps Unit of Yale University in 1939, and was commissioned Ensign, USNR, at graduation on June 20, 1939. Called to Active duty in January 1941, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant (jg) in January 31, 1942; to Lieutenant, June 15, 1942: and Lieutenant Commander, March 15, 1944. He was transferred from the US Naval Reserve to the US Navy in July 1946, and subsequently attained the rank of Captain, to date from August 1, 1958.

From January until July 1941 he was a student in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering at the Naval Postgraduate School, Annapolis, Maryland, where he remained as an instructor in the same subjects until February 1942. From March of that year throughout the World War II period he had inspection and material expediting duty in the Office of the Supervisor of Shipbuilding, Quincy, Massachusetts. Detached in April 1946, he reported a month later to the Dry dock and Repair Facility, San Juan, Puerto Rico. There he served for six months as Executive Officer with collateral duties as Planning, Production and Docking Officer.

He was next ordered to the Navy Department, Washington, DC, for duty with the Board of Inspection and Survey, as Assistant Hull Inspector and Recorder. He attended the Naval War College (Logistic Course) during the period July 1947 to June 1948, and for three years thereafter was assigned to the Boston Naval Shipyard, where he was Shop Superintendent, Assistant P&E Superintendent, and Ship Superintendent. While there he also served as a member of the Shore Station Development Board and as Docking Officer.

In September 1951 he reported to the Commander in Chief, Atlantic Fleet, naval Operating Base, Norfolk, Virginia, for duty in connection with the establishment of the Supreme Allied Command, Atlantic, and from February 1952 until September 1954 served as Director of Maintenance and Material on the Staff of the latter command. When detached he became Liaison Officer, US naval Shipbuilding, Madrid, Spain. Late in 1957 he returned to the Navy Department to serve a year each in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and the Bureau of Ships. On December 2, 1959, he again reported for duty at the Boston Naval Shipyard.

Captain Caracciolo has the American Defense Service Medal; the American Campaign Medal; the World War II Victory Medal; and the National Defense Service Medal.

He is a member of Saint Anthony, Delta Psi Fraternity, and Yale Club of Boston; and is Gold enthusiast.

 

END 

Published: Fri May 22 10:23:15 EDT 2020