Barry K. Atkins
Encyclopedia
Rear Admiral Barry Kennedy Atkins (August 2, 1911 – November 15, 2005) was an officer of the United States Navy
best known for his achievements as a destroyer captain in World War II
.
Atkins graduated from the United States Naval Academy
in 1932, and was commissioned as a career naval officer. He commanded the destroyer USS Melvin
in the Pacific Theater
of World War II
, and received the Navy Cross
for "extraordinary heroism" for action during the Battle of Surigao Strait in the Philippines
. On October 25, 1944, the Melvin fired a torpedo
at the Japanese battleship
Fusō
, setting off a chain reaction of explosions that sank the ship; according to Jack Green, spokesman at the Naval Historical Center
, "the Melvin probably was the only destroyer to sink a battleship in World War II." http://www.wacotrib.com/hp/content/shared-gen/ap/National/Melvins_Men.html
Atkins also served on the USS Parrott
, USS Tennessee
, and the , among other ships, and was decorated with the Silver Star
, Bronze Star
, and other medals. He retired in October 1959.
Admiral Atkins died at on November 15, 2005 at age 94. He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery
with full military honors
on January 30, 2006.
There has been pressure from crewmen of the Melvin to have a ship named after Atkins; the only official response has been that, as one prominent and highly-decorated officer among many, he is eligible for the honor but not guaranteed it.
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...
best known for his achievements as a destroyer captain in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Atkins graduated from the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in 1932, and was commissioned as a career naval officer. He commanded the destroyer USS Melvin
USS Melvin (DD-680)
USS Melvin , a Fletcher-class destroyer, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for Lieutenant, junior grade John T. Melvin ....
in the Pacific Theater
Pacific Theater of Operations
The Pacific Theater of Operations was the World War II area of military activity in the Pacific Ocean and the countries bordering it, a geographic scope that reflected the operational and administrative command structures of the American forces during that period...
of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, and received the Navy Cross
Navy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
for "extraordinary heroism" for action during the Battle of Surigao Strait in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. On October 25, 1944, the Melvin fired a torpedo
Torpedo
The modern torpedo is a self-propelled missile weapon with an explosive warhead, launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater towards a target, and designed to detonate either on contact with it or in proximity to it.The term torpedo was originally employed for...
at the Japanese battleship
Battleship
A battleship is a large armored warship with a main battery consisting of heavy caliber guns. Battleships were larger, better armed and armored than cruisers and destroyers. As the largest armed ships in a fleet, battleships were used to attain command of the sea and represented the apex of a...
Fusō
Japanese battleship Fuso
The Japanese battleship Fusō , was a part of the Imperial Japanese Navy, the lead ship of the Fusō-class. She was laid down by the Kure Kaigun Koshō on 11 March 1912, launched on 28 March 1914 and completed on 18 November 1915...
, setting off a chain reaction of explosions that sank the ship; according to Jack Green, spokesman at the Naval Historical Center
Naval Historical Center
The Naval History & Heritage Command is the official history program of the United States Navy and is located at the historic Washington Navy Yard in the District of Columbia.-Mission :...
, "the Melvin probably was the only destroyer to sink a battleship in World War II." http://www.wacotrib.com/hp/content/shared-gen/ap/National/Melvins_Men.html
Atkins also served on the USS Parrott
USS Parrott (DD-218)
USS Parrott was a Clemson-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War II. She was the second ship named for George Fountain Parrott....
, USS Tennessee
USS Tennessee (BB-43)
USS Tennessee , the lead ship of her class of battleship, was the third ship of the United States Navy named in honor of the 16th US state. During World War II in the Pacific Theater, she was damaged during the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 but was repaired and modernized...
, and the , among other ships, and was decorated with the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
, Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
, and other medals. He retired in October 1959.
Admiral Atkins died at on November 15, 2005 at age 94. He was interred at Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
with full military honors
Military funeral
A military funeral is a specially orchestrated funeral given by a country's military for a soldier, sailor, marine or airman who died in battle, a veteran, or other prominent military figures or heads of state. A military funeral may feature guards of honor, the firing of volley shots as a salute,...
on January 30, 2006.
There has been pressure from crewmen of the Melvin to have a ship named after Atkins; the only official response has been that, as one prominent and highly-decorated officer among many, he is eligible for the honor but not guaranteed it.
External links
- Barry Kennedy Atkins - Arlington National Cemetery'sArlington National CemeteryArlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
obituary of RDML Atkins - Portrait of a Shipmate - short biography of RDML Atkins