Frank Castellano
Encyclopedia
Francis "Frank" Xavier Castellano is an officer of the United States Navy
, holding the rank of Commander
and assigned to the Joint Forces Staff College
. Castellano is best known as commanding the guided missile destroyer
during the hijacking of the MV Maersk Alabama
.
in 1990, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in History. He has attended the Naval Postgraduate School
, earning a Master Of Science Degree in Systems Technology (Joint Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence), and the United States Naval War College, earning Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies.
His sea duty assignments include OI Division Officer, Auxiliaries Officer, and Communications Officer of ; Operations Officer of ; Commanding Officer of ; as Executive Officer of and as Commanding Officer of the USS Bainbridge from June 2008 until April 2010.
. Ashore, he served as an Associate Fellow to the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group
XVI and as a Surface Warfare Lieutenant Commander - Commander Assignments Officer, Navy Personnel Command (PERS 41). He has been assigned to the Joint Forces Staff College
since April 2010.
Commander Castellano was the commanding officer of the Bainbridge during the April 12, 2009, rescue of Captain Phillips from pirates off the coast of Somalia. On Sunday, April 12, 2009, Capt. Richard Phillips was rescued, reportedly in good condition, from his pirate captors.
According to Kirk Lippold, former Commander of the USS Cole (DDG-67)
and superior officer to Castellano at that time, in a statement about Castellano in the hours prior to the rescue, "He -- Frank is absolutely rock solid. He is a very, very mature and experienced commanding officer. He's had command previously of one of our Navy's patrol craft. So with him being on Bainbridge, I have absolute confidence that he's in the right place at the right time for a reason and that he'll do a great job there."
Commander Castellano stated that as the winds picked up, tensions rose among the pirates and "we calmed them" and persuaded the pirates to be towed by the Bainbridge. Vice Admiral William E. Gortney reported the rescue began when Commander Frank Castellano determined that Phillips' life was in imminent danger and ordered the action. President Barack Obama
had previously given Castellano standing orders to take action if Castellano determined Phillips' life was in immediate danger.
A reporter summarized Vice Admiral William Gortney's description of the final events: "Just before the shooting, Capt. Phillips was topside of the lifeboat. One pirate was behind him, pointing an AK-47
rifle at him. The head and shoulders of each of the other two pirates were also visible above deck of the enclosed lifeboat. Determining that Phillips might be shot at any moment, the commander ordered the action." Castellano stated, "[We] ultimately believed the pirates were about to kill the captain. That's what was the decision point.""
U.S. Navy SEAL
sniper
s on the Bainbridges fantail opened fire and killed the three pirates remaining in the lifeboat. The Bainbridge had the life boat under tow approximately 25 meters astern at the time. A fourth pirate was aboard Bainbridge negotiating a ransom and was taken prisoner. The U.S. Navy evacuated Capt. Richard Phillips to the Bainbridge and then flew him by helicopter to the for a medical evaluation, where he was later reported to be resting comfortably.
Meritorious Service Medal
(2)
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3)
Badges
Patchogue (N.Y.) Council 725.
Bellport High School, Class of 1986 (Brookhaven, New York)
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, holding the rank of Commander
Commander (United States)
In the United States, commander is a military rank that is also sometimes used as a military title, depending on the branch of service. It is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the military, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Naval rank:In the United States...
and assigned to the Joint Forces Staff College
Joint Forces Staff College
The Joint Forces Staff College located in Norfolk, Virginia, was established as the Armed Forces Staff College in 1946 and incorporated into the National Defense University in August 1981. It educates and acculturates joint and multinational warfighters to plan and lead at the operational level...
. Castellano is best known as commanding the guided missile destroyer
Guided missile destroyer
A guided missile destroyer is a destroyer designed to launch guided missiles. Many are also equipped to carry out anti-submarine, anti-air, and anti-surface operations. In the U.S...
during the hijacking of the MV Maersk Alabama
MV Maersk Alabama
MV Maersk Alabama is a container ship owned by Maersk Line Limited and operated by Waterman Steamship Corporation....
.
Biography
Castellano graduated from the United States Naval AcademyUnited States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in 1990, earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in History. He has attended the Naval Postgraduate School
Naval Postgraduate School
The Naval Postgraduate School is an accredited research university operated by the United States Navy. Located in Monterey, California, it grants master's degrees, Engineer's degrees and doctoral degrees...
, earning a Master Of Science Degree in Systems Technology (Joint Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence), and the United States Naval War College, earning Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies.
His sea duty assignments include OI Division Officer, Auxiliaries Officer, and Communications Officer of ; Operations Officer of ; Commanding Officer of ; as Executive Officer of and as Commanding Officer of the USS Bainbridge from June 2008 until April 2010.
. Ashore, he served as an Associate Fellow to the Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group
Chief of Naval Operations Strategic Studies Group
The Chief of Naval 0perations Strategic Studies Group was established by Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Thomas B. Hayward in 1981. The Group is co-located at the United States Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island, but receives its direction and makes its reports only to the Chief of...
XVI and as a Surface Warfare Lieutenant Commander - Commander Assignments Officer, Navy Personnel Command (PERS 41). He has been assigned to the Joint Forces Staff College
Joint Forces Staff College
The Joint Forces Staff College located in Norfolk, Virginia, was established as the Armed Forces Staff College in 1946 and incorporated into the National Defense University in August 1981. It educates and acculturates joint and multinational warfighters to plan and lead at the operational level...
since April 2010.
Rescue of pirate hostage
According to Kirk Lippold, former Commander of the USS Cole (DDG-67)
USS Cole (DDG-67)
The second USS Cole is an Arleigh Burke-class Aegis-equipped guided missile destroyer homeported in NS Norfolk, Virginia. The Cole is named in honor of Marine Sergeant Darrell S. Cole, a machine-gunner killed in action on Iwo Jima on 19 February 1945, during World War II...
and superior officer to Castellano at that time, in a statement about Castellano in the hours prior to the rescue, "He -- Frank is absolutely rock solid. He is a very, very mature and experienced commanding officer. He's had command previously of one of our Navy's patrol craft. So with him being on Bainbridge, I have absolute confidence that he's in the right place at the right time for a reason and that he'll do a great job there."
Commander Castellano stated that as the winds picked up, tensions rose among the pirates and "we calmed them" and persuaded the pirates to be towed by the Bainbridge. Vice Admiral William E. Gortney reported the rescue began when Commander Frank Castellano determined that Phillips' life was in imminent danger and ordered the action. President Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
had previously given Castellano standing orders to take action if Castellano determined Phillips' life was in immediate danger.
A reporter summarized Vice Admiral William Gortney's description of the final events: "Just before the shooting, Capt. Phillips was topside of the lifeboat. One pirate was behind him, pointing an AK-47
AK-47
The AK-47 is a selective-fire, gas-operated 7.62×39mm assault rifle, first developed in the Soviet Union by Mikhail Kalashnikov. It is officially known as Avtomat Kalashnikova . It is also known as a Kalashnikov, an "AK", or in Russian slang, Kalash.Design work on the AK-47 began in the last year...
rifle at him. The head and shoulders of each of the other two pirates were also visible above deck of the enclosed lifeboat. Determining that Phillips might be shot at any moment, the commander ordered the action." Castellano stated, "[We] ultimately believed the pirates were about to kill the captain. That's what was the decision point.""
U.S. Navy SEAL
United States Navy SEALs
The United States Navy's Sea, Air and Land Teams, commonly known as Navy SEALs, are the U.S. Navy's principal special operations force and a part of the Naval Special Warfare Command as well as the maritime component of the United States Special Operations Command.The acronym is derived from their...
sniper
Sniper
A sniper is a marksman who shoots targets from concealed positions or distances exceeding the capabilities of regular personnel. Snipers typically have specialized training and distinct high-precision rifles....
s on the Bainbridges fantail opened fire and killed the three pirates remaining in the lifeboat. The Bainbridge had the life boat under tow approximately 25 meters astern at the time. A fourth pirate was aboard Bainbridge negotiating a ransom and was taken prisoner. The U.S. Navy evacuated Capt. Richard Phillips to the Bainbridge and then flew him by helicopter to the for a medical evaluation, where he was later reported to be resting comfortably.
Military awards
Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (United States)
The Meritorious Service Medal is a military decoration presented to members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguished themselves by outstanding meritorious achievement or service to the United States subsequent to January 16, 1969...
(2)
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3)
Badges
- Navy Surface Warfare Badge (Officer)
Personal life
Commander Castellano is a member of the Knights of ColumbusKnights of Columbus
The Knights of Columbus is the world's largest Catholic fraternal service organization. Founded in the United States in 1882, it is named in honor of Christopher Columbus....
Patchogue (N.Y.) Council 725.
Bellport High School, Class of 1986 (Brookhaven, New York)