Master Chief Calhoun was born on April 20, 1925, at Ocean City, Maryland. After graduating from Ocean City High School in 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II and was honorably discharged on February 21, 1946, as a Torpedoman Second Class.

He later enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard on September 20, 1946, as a Boatswains Mate Second Class, and reported to his first assignment at Station Ocean City, MD. Other assignments include recruiting offices in Salisbury, MD and Columbia, SC, Coast Guard Training Center Groton, CT, and on the cutters MCCULLOCH, CHINCOTEAGUE, WHITE SUMAC, NARCISSUS, and Lightship RELIEF. He also served in Vietnam on the POINT ORIENT. Overall, he accumulated 170 months of sea duty during his Coast Guard career.

He became the First the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard (MCPOCG) on August 27, 1969, and served until his retirement after 30 years of active military service on August 1, 1973. During his tenure as MCPOCG, he undertook numerous projects, including the establishment of the Cutterman's Insignia, which formally recognized sea duty assignments for Coast Guard personnel. He also implemented the Coast Guard senior enlisted advisors' program which brought issues and concerns of the enlisted workforce to the senior leadership of the Coast Guard. He also championed the creation and implementation of the Coast Guard uniform, which provided a clear distinction of the service, changing the culture and eliminating the wearing of the U.S. Navy uniform, which had been required uniform since 1914.

His military awards include the Legion of Merit, Combat Action Ribbon w/1 Bronze Star, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal w/1 Silver Star, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/4 Bronze Stars, World War II Victory Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal w/1 Bronze Star, Vietnam Service Medal w/3 Bronze Stars, Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Liberation Ribbon w/1 Bronze Star, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross With Palm Unit Citation, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. In 1947 he was awarded the Coast Guard Commandant's Letter of Commendation for saving the life of a drowning man during his assignment at Ocean City, Maryland.

Master Chief Calhoun passed away on February 24, 2002, and is interred in Berlin, MD.