A 1891 graduate of the U. S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, USA, H. H. Caldwell served with distinction in the United States Navy for over twenty years, first serving as Flag Lieutenant to Admiral George Dewey, USN on the U.S.S. Olympia at the battle of Manila Bay during the Spanish American War, where he was cited for bravery. In 1900, he was given command of the U.S.S. Holland, the first submarine commissioned in the U.S. Navy, and later trained personnel for service in submarines. After retiring as Lieutenant Commander, USN, 1909, he went west to California where he became involved in the motion picture business, working as a production editor and writer of screenplays along with his wife Katherine Hilliker. Upon the United States' entry into World War I, he returned to duty in the Fleet Naval Reserve, commanding the U.S.S. Amphritite, whose job was to protect the submarine net in New York Harbor and to guard the harbor from any and all who sought entry. He retired as Commander, USN in August of 1919 and returned west and continued working in the motion picture business, until his death. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery outside Washington, D.C.
