Captain Tecla Ebert Beshany This is Me

 Web References

1. 1. www.usscanopus.org

   www.usscanopus.org/History/His - [Cached]

   Published on: 10/10/2004   Last Visited: 10/9/2006

   You couldn't make out what the words were, but somewhere in there were the words, congratulations, you could make it out after you really de- ciphered it to Captain Bell, ComSubLant 14 up in the Holy Loch and it looked like Captain Beshany but it was hard to --- I couldn't figure that out.
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   Vice Admiral Philip Arthur Beshany, son of Arthur and Tecla Ebert Beshany, was born in Jamaica, Long Island, New York, on July 3, 1914.
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   Admiral Beshany joined the cruiser USS PHILADELPHIA, for his first assignment in which he served for two years. He then reported to the Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut, for instruction in submarines, and in December 1940 was assigned duty on board the USS S-14, in which he made several patrols during World War II. From November 1942 until July 1944, he served in the USS SCAMP as Executive and Engineer Officer and participated in seven war patrols. He was awarded the Silver Star Medal for conspicuous gallantry during the SCAMP's first three war patrols and a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Silver Star Medal for action during the Fourth War Patrol, which resulted in the sinking of approximately 14,000 tons of enemy shipping and the damaging of 500 tons. In addition, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat "V", for heroic achievement during the SEVENTH War Patrol during which he succeeded in stopping the dive of the SCAMP at 330 feet, thus preventing her from broaching at 52 feet, after an enemy plane bombed and damaged her. Upon return to the United States in July 1944 he proceeded to the Navy Yard, Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to assist in fitting out the USS QUILLBACK (SS424) . From her commissioning in January 1945 throughout the remaining war period he served as Executive Officer of that submarine which participated in the assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto, the initial landings and occupation of Japan and the surrender ceremonies in Tokyo Bay. He was also a prize crew commander of the Jap- anese submarine I-365. In October 1945 he assumed command of the USS BILLFISH (SS286) , commanding her until June 1946. Subsequently, in- struction at the Naval Postgraduate School, Annapolis, pre- ceded his command of USS BURRFISH (SSR312), followed by com- mand of USS AMBERJACK (SS522). Then, in August 1951, he re- turned to the Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut, to serve as Engineer and Repair Officer, and as Head of the Pro- spective Submarine Commanding Officers School for one year. Following graduation from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, Admiral Beshany became Commanding Officer of USS SALAMONIE (A026) in July 1960. This assignment was high- lighted by the U.N. action in the Congo and operations with the SIXTH Fleet. In September 1961 he assumed command of Submarine Squadron FOUR in Charleston, South Carolina. From August 1962 until September 1963 he was the Chief of Staff to the Deputy Commander Submarine Force, U. S. Atlantic Fleet, and on October 28, 1963 he assumed command of the Second Polaris Squadron, Submarine Squadron SIXTEEN deployed in Rota, Spain. Assigned to the Staff of the Commander in Chief Allied Forces, Southern Europe, he served as Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics from December 1964 to July 1966, when he became Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics and Administration. He was awarded the Legion of Merit for " ... the establishment of an extraodinarily high degree of rapport which contributed materially to the timely resolution of innumerable difficult and delicate issues of extreme importance to the accomplish- ment of the Command mission ... " In December 1966 he became Director of the Submarine Warfare Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations and in March 1968 was assigned additional duty as Nuclear Powered Submarine Program Coordinator in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. He was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of the Second Legion of Merit and cited in part as follows: " ... During a period when the resources of the Navy have been severely taxed (he) was responsible for maintaining the high state of readiness of the operational submarine forces and at the same time provided plans and management for establish- ment of a new nuclear submarine construction program ... " In May 1969 he assumed command of Amphibious Group FOUR and in July 1970 became Assistant Deputy Chief of Naval Op- erations for Fleet Operations and Readiness, Navy Department. Reorganization of the Office of the Chief of Naval Op- erations in March 1971 resulted in the establishment of a Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Submarines, an event of singular significance in naval history. On April 8, 1971 Admiral Beshany became the first officer to hold this position of distinction and was appointed to the grade of Vice Admi- ral in June 1971. Later that year his title was changed to Deputy Chief of Naval Operations (Submarine Warfare). In July 1972 he was ordered detached for duty as Commander United States Taiwan Defense Command. He remained in that billet for two years until his retirement from active duty in August 1974.